Independence Parks Put on Pause: Referendum Signature Drives Closure

INDEPENDENCE, Ore. — City parks in Independence began closing this week after a citizen referendum petition qualified a proposed fee ordinance for the November ballot, preventing the city from collecting revenue budgeted for parks, library and museum operations. 

The Polk County Clerk’s Office certified the signatures Aug. 20, placing the measure on the Nov. 3 ballot, according to city officials. The City Council adopted the Community Services & Parks Fee ordinance June 23 as part of the fiscal year 2026-27 budget. The fee included $11.50 per month for library and museum services and $8.15 for parks. 

The proposed fee was a monthly charge on utility bills, not a day-use entrance fee charged each time someone visited a park and not part of regular city property taxes. Casual park visits had previously been free; only reservations for events or the biker/boater campground carried separate fees. 

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The City’s adopted FY 2026–27 budget includes revenue from the Community Services & Parks Fee to fund the continued operation of these services. A referendum petition regarding the ordinance establishing the fee has qualified the matter for the November election. 

While the referendum process is underway, the City cannot collect the fee,” the city’s Closure FAQ states on its website. Because the budget relied on that revenue, the city reduced expenditures. Riverview Park and four other parks closed Aug. 24, with remaining parks scheduled to close in the coming days. 

Temporary fencing was installed, and power and water were shut off at affected sites. All park reservations are closed. The Independence Boat Ramp remains open for public safety and river access. Greg Ellis, who served as city manager from 2000 to 2010 and filed the referendum June 24, said organizers needed 671 valid signatures from registered voters. He reported collecting 571 signatures as of July 6. 

City spokesperson Emmanuel Goicochea said the fees were never charged or collected because the referendum was filed before they could be issued. In a statement, city officials said: 

“The city recognizes the impact these closures have on the community. A measure related to funding for city services and parks is scheduled to appear on the November 2026 ballot. Voters will have the opportunity to consider that measure as part of the November election.”

The Heritage Museum is set to close beginning Aug. 26. The public library remains open pending a formal process required under Oregon law. Parks will stay closed until election results are certified.