Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Cornelius public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
8 issues in parks rec
Council Creek Trail maintenance agreement
The East-West trail connecting Cornelius, Hillsboro, and Forest Grove is designed and permitted, but construction is stuck waiting on a Federal Highway Administration amendment. An online open house on the 23 road crossings is planned for April; councilors asked for in-person and Spanish-language options so everyone can participate.
Trail naming for regional maps
Two new trail names — Flatwater Trail and Pioneer Trail — will put the city's north/south routes on the Metro regional green spaces map, helping cyclists and paddlers navigate to Steamboat Park and the Tualatin River.
Metro Local Share Nature Grant for Community Projects
The city is applying to Bee City USA, a $200-a-year program committing Cornelius to pollinator-friendly planting, pesticide reduction, and education, overseen by the Public Infrastructure Advisory Board.
River Bend Park naming
The city's new park at 1965 South 29th Boulevard, squeezed between a big Tualatin River bend and 345th, was officially named River Bend Park.
Drake Learning Center Access
The library's hands-on maker lab with 3D printers and laser cutters has been paused since February over liability and air-quality worries. Staff updated waivers, training, and safety protocols, and the lab should reopen by mid-April with better staffing thanks to county library funding.
2025 Community Events Recap and 2026 Plans
Staff recapped a strong 2025 events season — tree lighting, farmers market at Grande Foods, 9/11 ceremony at Veterans Park — and previewed 2026 additions including an emergency preparedness fair, a city-hosted State of the City at the library, and a spring ribbon cutting for Mariposa Causeway.
Park shelter reservation changes
New rules limit shelter reservations to four hours, add structured weekend shifts, and give Cornelius residents priority for peak-season (April-September) bookings made January through March. Mariposa Park is so popular the city regularly has to turn people away.
New Parks Master Plan
The council replaced the 2009 Parks Master Plan with a new one reflecting the city's growth — park acreage doubled from 25 to 54 acres since 2019, largely from Laurel Woods. The plan targets about 42 more acres by 2040 and identifies park-deficient areas for future acquisition.