Fall 2020 Update:
Construction began in September on:
- Paved parking area and connection sidewalks and paths
- Utilities for food truck parking and future restrooms, electricity to picnic pavilions, and lighting
- Paved 0.8 miles of the perimeter path to provide safe access halfway around the pond.
The project will be completed this spring with signage, benches, and security lighting.
During this construction, there is a temporary parking area off Hwy 138, on the north side of the pond.
Our current fundraising goals:
- Complete Park Perimeter Path (0.9 miles) to ADA-accessible standards.
- Construct restrooms and an inclusive children’s playground
Many grant applications require a cash match. YOU can help us by making a donation today! Remember, improvements are not funded through city taxes nor a bond levy.
The City of Sutherlin is working with the Oregon State Marine Board on the design/engineering of a permanent parking area and boat launch facility off Hwy 138.
Artist’s Rendering of SE Community Park and Path
Ford's Pond Community Park
A City of Sutherlin open space/community park established in 2015.
The park consists of the 95-acre Ford’s Pond and 107 acres of open space, bordered on the west side by an oak-savanna hillside. Located in southwestern Oregon, the site was first commercially used as a wheat field and then converted to a log storage pond. Purchased in 2015 by the City of Sutherlin for municipal needs, the property, long a favorite with locals for fishing and birding, is also being developed as an open-space, community park.
The property is home to three different habitats, offering opportunities for nature viewing and recreation:
Emergent Wetlands
Willow/Ash Riparian
Oak Savanna
Ford’s Pond is a Birding Hot-Spot
With over 193 species of birds, the Umpqua Valley Audubon Society offers birding events at the park and maintains an eBird list.
