A Growing Partnership: Gardeners and Hoodland Fire Find Common Ground

This is a revision of a story originally posted in our October edition. Clarifications are posted below.

On a rainy October afternoon, the warmth inside the Timberline Rim Recreation Lodge was unmistakable. Sweaters, raincoats, and the hum of friendly conversation filled the room as about two dozen members of the IWAKT Community Garden gathered for a harvest celebration marking not only the end of the growing season but also the beginning of a new partnership with the Hoodland Fire District.

Tables were laid with foods from the garden’s bounty – roasted vegetables, salads, homemade breads, preserves, and local honey – alongside steaming coffee and tea. Near the entrance, the IWAKT Garden Board of Directors displayed garden maps, history, and information about the site.

The community garden, also called the Dream Garden, has flourished on the former Dorman Center property east of Welches for more than 16 years. It’s a space where 31 gardeners – families, seniors, and newcomers alike – grow vegetables and flowers. The afternoon’s event celebrated both the harvest and a presentation by Hoodland Fire Division Chief Scott Kline, who shared updates and clarifications on the status of the garden as plans move forward for the new fire station on the same site.

Rain tapped steadily on the lodge’s windows as garden member Dr. Melanie Brown alternated between piano and guitar, filling the room with music that lent the gathering a gentle calm. After lunch and a brief introduction by Rogers, Kline stepped forward and turned on his projector.

“I’m here more to get feedback from the community garden as we move through the planning process,” Kline began. “The first thing I want to point out is that we’re not changing the size of the original garden – unless Clackamas County requires us to. And if they do, we’ll still maintain the same square footage. The layout may change, but the garden size will remain the same.”

Kline explained that the District’s Land Use Hearing with Clackamas County is scheduled for December 4 and that he will advocate to preserve the garden’s existing boundaries. “We’re going to ask them to keep that original shape of the garden,” he said, pointing to a planning map. “Our goal is to maintain that footprint while also improving the space where we can.”

A key part of his presentation focused on the Celebration of Life Garden, a memorial bed planted in 2009 by the Trillium Trails Garden Club to honor late members. Under the proposed redesign, that memorial will be relocated to the front of the fire station, enlarged, and integrated into the landscaping plan.

“The memorial garden will move to the front of the station and be enlarged,” Kline said. “We’ll transplant the existing plants and, when we work with our landscape artist, I want Trillium Trails and community gardeners to help design the new layout. The idea is to include Hoodland Fire memorials as well – volunteers, firefighters, and board members who have passed over the years. Our meeting room will overlook that garden.”

Kline also offered practical updates: “You’ll see a little square here,” he said, pointing to a map of the design layout. “Everything’s been stored in the privies. Those are going away. Our board of directors has approved donating a 12-by-16-foot Tuff Shed to the garden.” Attendees welcomed the offer, and several noted that the donation would be gladly accepted. “It’s a really big shed,” Kline said, adding that he’d help resize it himself if needed, as his personal contribution to the garden.

He noted that the design includes two parking spaces for gardeners and that solar studies confirm the new fire station will not cast shade on the garden. “Any shading comes from existing trees, some of which may be removed,” he said. “That may actually improve light conditions for the garden.”

Questions from attendees focused on preserving the original garden footprint. Kline reiterated that the County would make final determinations during the December land use hearing, but that the plan was to retain as much of the original garden as possible. 

He also explained that an agreement with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) will contribute $5.6 million toward the new station. “They lost Ripplebrook in the wildfires of 2020,” Kline said. “We’ll have two bays dedicated to the Forest Service, and they’ll have office space for about 14 people.” He added that the station’s design is meant to serve the community for at least 50 years.

As the gathering wound down, the rain outside began to ease. Inside, gardeners lingered over coffee and conversation, discussing winter plans and the upcoming hearing. The mood was one of cautious optimism.

For updates on the Hoodland Fire project, contact Division Chief Scott Kline at (503) 622-3256 or scottkline@hoodlandfire.gov

For garden information, email Dona Rogers at DreamCommunityGarden@gmail.com

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Clarifications from Hoodland Fire District following last month’s article regarding the IWAKT Community Garden. 

• Garden footprint preserved: The new station clarified that it will not reduce the garden’s overall square footage.

• Layout adjustments possible: Individual plots may be reconfigured, but none will be eliminated.

• Celebration of Life Garden: The memorial will be relocated and expanded to include tributes to both community gardeners and Hoodland Fire members.

• Sunlight concerns resolved: Solar shading studies confirm the new fire station will not shade the garden; any shading comes from existing trees, some of which may be removed.

• Programs continue: Activities such as the children’s garden, school partnerships, and “Grow a Row for a Senior” can continue under the revised layout.

• Ongoing process: The project remains under Land Use Review, with final design details still in progress.

For updates on the Hoodland Fire project, contact Division Chief Scott Kline at (503) 622-3256 or scottkline@hoodlandfire.gov

For garden information, email Dona Rogers at DreamCommunityGarden@gmail.com.