
Phase 2 Improvements Summer 2023
Funding has been secured for restrooms, picnic shelters, sidewalks, landscaping, a birding observation area, and to complete the paving of the Perimeter Path around Ford’s Pond. The play area is designed to introduce the park through play, with one area designed as a “Play Pond” using colored safety surfacing to mimic the pond water. The play area is designed to preserve the views of Ford’s Pond and provide shade through effective landscaping. This is a conceptual drawing of what is being planned halfway through the design phase. Final design is expected in fall 2022.
Let's Build the Playground!
All that’s left is funding the playground. We need your donations to purchase the playground equipment and safety surfacing to build this playground in 2023. Click on each picture for more information.









Inclusive Means Everyone Can Play Together
Fundraising
The Friends of Ford’s Pond raise the funds needed for the improvement and maintenance of Ford’s Pond Community Park. To date, the Friends has raised over $2 million to transform the abandoned Ford’s Pond property to a well-loved community park.
All improvements to the park were identified during a public process and are organized in the 2017 Ford’s Pond Community Park Master Plan by location: Perimeter Path, Southeast Community Park, North Frontage, West Hillside, Secondary Trails, and Wetlands.
Your donation helps us to:
- Meet cash match requirements for grant applications.
- Provide free pet waste bags at the park entrances.
- Provide safety equipment and tools for volunteers maintaining the park.
- Print brochures and publications promoting the park.
- Fund our nonprofit’s required operating fees including our state business license and fees, insurance, and this website.
This park is made possible by the generosity of those who had a vision of a community park on the west side of Sutherlin. Join your neighbors in donating today to support the park.
Phase 1 Improvements 2020-2022

Through community donations and grants, the first phase of improvements included a paved 35-space parking area, utilities for future restrooms, benches, picnic tables, signage, and almost 1 mile of paved multi-use paths.
