By combining resources (Metro and the City each own land at Gabbert Butte), this partnership can create an even better destination for the community.
Shaping the future of Gabbert Butte Natural Area
Gabbert Butte is one of six buttes within Gresham city limits. About 150 acres, Gabbert Butte offers a unique opportunity to access nature in the Gresham area.
We’re working closely with the community and
Metro to develop a Gabbert Butte Nature Park Master Plan to identify ways people can enjoy the butte’s natural resources, including:
- Hiking
- Biking
- Wildlife-viewing
- Picnicking
- Nature classes
- Nature-based play areas
Connecting everyone to nature
The project is a pilot for the Connect with Nature initiative, which works with underserved community members to ensure parks and natural areas are welcoming and inclusive of all cultures.
A group of multicultural planners, consultants and community members is working with Metro to develop Gabbert Butte.
Connect with Nature video
Project goals
- Protect habitat and water quality and provide meaningful and safe experiences of nature.
- Encourage participation in planning from people of diverse cultural backgrounds, ages and levels of ability.
- Develop a plan to guide future public access to the site, including welcoming entryways, improved trails and opportunities to experience nature.
Restoration
Gresham is home to diverse natural features, including wetlands, riparian areas, forested uplands and buttes.
Over the last 150 years, Gresham’s landscape has changed from a quiet berry-farming community to a busy city with a wide variety of neighborhoods. Today, one of the most noticeable remaining pieces of the forestry and agricultural economy are the upland open space buttes.
Throughout the city,
restoration work is helping to improve water quality, minimize erosion and property loss, reduce flood damage and boost diversity of plant and animal life.