Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Astoria public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
6 issues in parks rec with high priority
Disc golf feasibility at Shively Park
Astoria may get a free, 18-hole wooded disc golf course winding through Shively Park's perimeter and connecting to Evergreen Fields. Baskets are donated and volunteers would build much of it, but residents have raised concerns about pedestrian safety, parking, weddings, and the park's quiet character. A public open house on August 19 will shape whether the board recommends the project in September.
Astoria Aquatic Center / Community Center investment
A resident has offered to donate up to $20,000 for a sauna at the Aquatic Center, plus possible maintenance support. Staff are still checking feasibility — power, code requirements, location, and upkeep.
Parks Master Plan Update
Nine months of public engagement produced a final draft Parks Master Plan with an implementation matrix for the next decade. City Council heard a largely positive work session and will consider adoption June 15. Recommendations are guideposts, not automatic projects — residents will still get input on specifics like the dog park.
Maritime Memorial engraving funding shortfall
More families asked for engravings at the Maritime Memorial than budgeted, so the council moved $3,000 from the fund's contingency to cover the extra work — paid for by engraving fees already collected.
Securing leaning memorial panels
Fifty-eight panels at the Maritime Memorial are leaning, and a full fix could cost around $658,000. The city is starting with a single test panel removal (at least $18,000) to figure out what's really wrong before committing to more.
Parking enforcement at the Memorial
Officers still chalk tires to enforce two-hour parking. Staff want license plate readers — about $60,000 up front plus $2,000-$4,000 a year — to automate citations, online payments, and appeals, with privacy limits on data retention.