Shute Park (Oregon)

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Shute Park
Type Public, city
Location Hillsboro, Oregon,
United States
Coordinates 45°30′48″N 122°58′31″W / 45.51333, -122.97528Coordinates: 45°30′48″N 122°58′31″W / 45.51333, -122.97528
Size 13 acres
Opened 1906
Operated by Hillsboro Parks & Recreation Department
Status open

Shute Park is a municipal park located in the city of Hillsboro, Oregon, United States. Acquired in 1906, the 13 acre park is the oldest park in the city. Shute Park includes an aquatic center, a branch of the Hillsboro Public Library, and community center.

Contents

[edit] History

On December 21, 1906, the City of Hillsboro purchased a 15 acre tract of land from banker J.W. Shute for $1,622, with the condition that the land be used as a park and named in his honor. The city passed a levy to finance the purchase of its first park at 1.8 mills per assessed valuation. At the time the total assessed value in the city was just over $600,000.[1]

Then in June 1920 voters approved a levy to finance the construction of a pavilion at the park. Finished in June 1921, the 71 foot by 117 foot building was designed and built without in posts in the floor and included a stage. At first the pavilion was used mainly for dances, but was later used as a roller skating rink. It also was home to an infantry unit and later artillery unit, and during World War II was used for drill by the national guard. Over time the building eventually no longer meet building codes, but the city felt the costs were too much to remodel the facility so the pavilion was torn down in 1974.[1]

In 1935, workers from the Works Progress Administration improved the park. Enhancements included extensive landscaping, the addition of a baseball diamond, construction of a stone-arch bridge, a creek, and the addition of lighting. The improved park was dedicated on July 2, 1936.[1] In 2006, the city celebrated the 100th anniversary of the park that included people in period dress and a performance by the Oregon Symphonic Band.[2]

Beginning in 1925 until 1951 the Washington County Fair was held at the park.[3]

[edit] Facilities

Chief Kno-Tah sculpture in the park.
Chief Kno-Tah sculpture in the park.

Located at 10th and Maple streets, the park contains a variety of amenities. These include a picnic shelter, softball field, restrooms, picnic areas, playground equipment, and a stage. Also at the park is the main branch of the Hillsboro library, a senior community center, and an aquatic recreation center.[4] It also houses the Chief Kno-Tah wood sculpture of a Native American head carved by Peter Wolf Toth as part of his Trail of the Whispering Giants.[5]

The Shute Park Aquatic and Recreation Center opened in 1980.[6] The indoor and outdoor pool facility also contained indoor exercise areas and racquetball courts. Beginning in 2004 it was remodeled and re-opened in 2006. Additions to the facility included a massage room, child care area, a spa pool, a pool slide, and a play feature in one of the pools.[7]

Shute Park also hosts the annual Showtime at Shute free summer concert series. These outdoor concerts are held each Thursday beginning in July and running through August.[8]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Park site sold to city by banker Shute in ‘06. Hillsboro Argus, October 19, 1976.
  2. ^ Neighborhood Roundup: Living history marks Shute Park's centennial. The Oregonian, August 17, 2006.
  3. ^ Buan, Carolyn M. This Far-Off Sunset Land: A Pictorial History of Washington County, Oregon. Donning Company Publishers, 1999. p. 126.
  4. ^ Shute Park. City of Hillsboro. Retrieved on February 25, 2008.
  5. ^ Peter Wolf Toth's Trail of the Whispering Giants. Roadside Attractions. Retrieved on February 25, 2008.
  6. ^ Hillsboro running a deficit in recreation space. The Oregonian, February 23, 2006.
  7. ^ Dive into exercise at remodeled swim center. The Oregonian, March 2, 2006.
  8. ^ Showtime at Shute. Hillsboro Community Arts. Retrieved on February 25, 2008.

[edit] External links

Hillsboro Civic Center
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