Paddlers and picnickers heading to Cook Family Park this summer will need to adjust their routine.

The boat launch access road and lower parking lot close July 13, with reopening expected around mid-October, as crews begin construction on a new ADA-accessible dock along the Tualatin River.

The closure means no vehicle access to that section of the park. Pedestrians and cyclists can still pass through, and drivers can use the east and west parking lots or spaces near the accessible playground and sports fields.

The boat launch ramp and boarding dock remain open during construction, according to the city's parks department. River Rentals, operated by Tualatin Riverkeepers, will also stay open through early September.

"We are looking forward to offering an accessible option for people of all abilities to be able to enjoy an outdoor recreation experience on the Tualatin River," said Rick Gruen, Tigard's parks, recreation and green infrastructure manager.

The work is Phase 2 of a larger dock improvement project. The city replaced the old wooden boarding dock with a modern metal one in summer 2025. This next phase adds a new ADA-compliant path and a 110-foot-long, 7-foot-wide gangway equipped with adaptive hardware and a kayak/paddleboard slip for people with physical limitations.

The in-water preparatory work must happen within a window approved by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, which is why the closure falls in midsummer. The city expects the gangway and dock installation in fall 2026 or spring 2027 but has not set a date.

Funding for Phase 2 comes from two Oregon Parks and Recreation Department grants, with the remainder covered by parks system development charges, one-time fees charged to new development to fund parks capacity. Phase 1 was funded through Oregon State Marine Board and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife grants.

Cook Family Park is located at 17005 S.W. 92nd Ave. in Tigard.

Upcoming community calendar

Saturday, July 4 — Durham's 60th birthday celebration at Durham Park. The city was incorporated Feb. 25, 1966. Additional details are expected from the City of Durham closer to the event.

Friday, July 10 — Mask & Mirror Community Theatre opens "The Cover of Life" by R.T. Robinson at Tualatin United Methodist Church, 20200 S.W. Martinazzi Ave., Tualatin. Performances run through Saturday, Aug. 1. Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15.