Roy Raley Park Rehabilitation moves forward

Parks and Recreation receives $330,000 grant for project

Pendleton, Ore. — Roy Raley Park will have a substantial facelift with help from a grant through Oregon State Parks. Pendleton Parks and Recreation has been awarded $330,000 from the Local Government Grant Program though Oregon State Parks to renovate Roy Raley Park.

Located next to the Pendleton Round-Up Grounds, Roy Raley Park is Pendleton’s oldest park. In addition to a playground and a grass amphitheater, the park originally included a public swimming pool called the Pendleton Natatorium. The Natatorium was Pendleton’s primary swimming pool from its opening in 1915 until the Pendleton Aquatic Center was opened in the 1960s. After the Aquatic Center opened, the Natatorium pool was filled in and a concrete slab poured over the top. That slab is now home to pickleball and basketball courts in the summer and an ice-skating rink in the winter; however, the concrete is failing.

Pendleton Parks and Recreation Director Liam Hughes said cracks have formed across the surface of the concrete and ground penetrating radar has shown a void has developed under the pad.

“Engineers have determined that the best course of action is to excavate and then rebuild the pad,” Hughes said. “This grant will cover that work as well as some upgrades to other areas of the park.

“This will also allow us to upgrade the pickleball courts with better surfacing and semi-permanent nets – currently players have to either bring their own net or rent a portable one from our office.”

Once the concrete is rebuilt, it will include better surfacing for pickleball – along with semi-permanent nets – and installed coils to facilitate transformation to the ice-skating rink in winter months.

The project will also include replacing the treated lumber border around the playground, constructing an accessible route to the playground and renovating the public restrooms, including addressing the ADA stall of the men’s restroom that was vandalized.

The total project will cost about $560,000, and this grant will cover more than half the funds. Much of the additional work will be completed by City of Pendleton crews and covered through funding from the Building Reserve Fund and the Parks Trust Fund.

Once Pendleton Parks and Recreation receives the notice to proceed, they will begin the process of engineering and seeking out contractors to complete the work. Once the notice is issued, the City will have two  years to complete the project.

- Sept. 27, 2023