Palisades Neighborhood Association

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Rassekh Park Grand Opening: From Vision to Celebration

Published October 4, 2025

In July 2021, the Palisades Neighborhood Association (PNA) began conversations with the City of Lake Oswego and design contractors to understand why key features requested by neighbors—particularly a picnic shelter and a dedicated playground space—had not been included in the park’s plans. After extensive community feedback, by February 2022 the City revised the design, adding sheltered gathering areas and expanding the playground to better meet neighborhood priorities.

The PNA’s involvement didn’t stop there. On July 24, 2024, representatives Nancy Sage, Chris Durkee, and Kirsty Reilly partnered with Lake Oswego Parks and Recreation’s Kyra Haggart and Ivan Anderholm to present to the State of Oregon Parks Department. Their goal: secure a $1M grant for Rassekh Park Phase II, with the City pledging to match the funding. Phase II included new playgrounds, picnic shelters, pathways, and more—at a total projected cost of about $2 million. With support from enthusiastic neighborhood children, the team highlighted the importance of inclusive playground equipment, noting that Palisades has more young children than any other neighborhood in Lake Oswego.

In October 2024, exciting news arrived—the grant was approved, clearing the way for construction.

Now, one year later, the PNA is thrilled to invite our neighbors to the Grand Opening of Rassekh Park and Skate Park on Saturday, October 18, 2025, from 2:00–4:00 p.m.

Event Details

  • Parking: On-site parking will be closed beginning Saturday morning to accommodate event set-up, dignitaries, and special requests (including drop-offs). Attendees who drive are encouraged to park at the Lake Oswego Recreation and Aquatic Center (LORAC)—preferably in the south section near Overlook Drive—and walk or roll down to the park. Please note: no street parking is available on Atherton.
  • Program:
    • 2:00 p.m. – Guests gather under the new picnic shelter.
    • 2:15 p.m. – Welcome remarks from the Mayor, City Manager, Interim Parks Director Jeff Munro, and possibly a representative from the Local Government Grant Program.
    • 2:40 p.m. – Ribbon cutting at the big play tower, followed by the official opening of the playground—time for the kids to PLAY!
  • Celebration: Enjoy music and treats until 4:00 p.m.


✨ After years of planning, advocacy, and community support, we can finally celebrate together. Bring your family, your neighbors, and your excitement—we can’t wait to see you at Rassekh Park!

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Neighborhood Enhancement Program (NEP) Project Coordinator

Primary Role:

  • Handles NEP grant applications, grant approvals, reviews receipts for reimbursement and is the single point of contact between the entire Palisades Neighborhood Association (PNA) and the City.
  • To be successfull in this role you should be organized, communicative.
  • Time commitment: From 8-12 hrs. throughout the year

Process:

  • Accepting NEP proposals: Anyone living in the Palisades Neighborhood Association can submit proposal(s) to the NEP Coordinator along with estimated costs throughout the year. They should follow the application guidelines and answer the questions related to their proposal.
  • PNA Board will Vote on Which Items To Include in our NEP Proposal: During the month of March PNA board meeting the NEP Coordinator asks the board to vote on the proposed item(s). NEP Coordinator encourages person(s) proposing the item(s) to attend the meeting to answer questions that might come up. The PNA board then votes on which items should be included in the NEP grant proposal.
  • Developing and Submitting the NEP Grant Proposalt: During the NEP grant proposal period (usually the month of May) the NEP Project Coordinator:
    • Fills out the NEP grant proposal application based on items approved by the PNA Board;
    • Gets sign offs from the PNA Chair
    • Submits the proposal form to the city in early May for the initial review process
    • Provides additional information requested by the city
    • Revises and submits the final application to the City by the deadline (typically May 31).

What Happens Next:

  • Iris McCaleb from the City forwards the NEP grant proposals to the grant review committee and then to the City Council who review it and awards certain grants.The NEP Coordinator will receive a letter of award from the City and will share it with the PNA Leadership Team.
  • As items are purchased from the approved grant list, the project close-out form is filled out by the person requesting reimbursement. They will attach digital copies of receipts and photos and then submit all to both the NEP Project Coordinator and the PNA Chair. The NEP Project Coordinator submits the reimbursement request to Iris at the City for reimbursement.
  • Reimbursement checks are then sent directly to the person who purchased the item(s).