Shute Park (Oregon)
| Shute Park | |
|---|---|
Playground at the park
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| Type | Public, city |
| Location |
Hillsboro, Oregon, United States |
| Coordinates | 45°30′43″N 122°58′25″W / 45.51194°N 122.97361°WCoordinates: 45°30′43″N 122°58′25″W / 45.51194°N 122.97361°W |
| Area | 13 acres (53,000 m2) |
| Created | 1906 |
| Operated by | Hillsboro Parks & Recreation Department |
| Status | open |
| Website | Shute Park |
Shute Park is a municipal park in the city of Hillsboro, Oregon, United States. Acquired in 1906, the 13-acre (53,000 m2) park is the oldest park in the city. Located at southeast Tenth and Maple streets along Tualatin Valley Highway, Shute Park includes an aquatic center, a branch of the Hillsboro Public Library, and a community center. The park once had a pavilion that contained a roller skating rink, and was the center of civic activities before the opening of the Washington County Fairgrounds. Named for businessman John W. Shute, the park at one time included land on the east side of the highway that consisted mainly of a baseball field.
On December 21, 1906, the City of Hillsboro purchased a 15-acre (61,000 m2) tract of land from banker John 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. The land had previously been the site of a brickyard, whose brick had been used in the construction of several buildings in downtown Hillsboro.
In June 1920, voters approved a levy to finance the construction of a pavilion at the park. Finished in June 1921, the 71-by-117-foot (22 by 36 m) building was designed and built without 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 met building codes, but the city felt the costs were too much to remodel the facility so the pavilion was torn down in 1974.
Beginning in 1925 and until 1951, the Washington County Fair was held at the park. During that time, the park contained additional structures, including a poultry building. 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. Hillsboro's Happy Days festival was also previously staged at Shute Park. The pavilion at Shute could seat as many as 1,500 and was used for events that included a circus.
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Wikipedia