Future Possibility for a Senior Center

We as a community have an opportunity to create a place for seniors and community members that will be a benefit to all residents for the next 50-75 years.

We have identified a potential location for a future senior/community center: the county park. We would love to hear your thoughts on this idea. Your feedback is important to us, whether you’re in support, have concerns, or have other potential locations in mind. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.

In April 1962, Margaret and Charles Coate donated 18.66 acres to the county in honor of Margaret’s parents, Philomina and Christian Guler, early pioneers of Trout Lake. The land was designated for use as parkland to benefit the community. About a decade later, the county transformed the property into an overnight camping facility, a use that has remained largely unchanged ever since.

As we look toward the future of our community, we have a unique opportunity to reimagine this valuable asset and explore how it can better serve the needs of the community, including our elders, into the 21st century.

Why The Park?

In 2024, our committee—comprising Glenda Hollenbeck and Zoe Wood (both retired real estate professionals) and Dennis Hartley (a retired architect)—explored several sites for establishing a center in the village. Additionally, long-time resident engineers Mike Wellman and Frank Childs provided valuable guidance.

We considered utilizing existing buildings too. Building in general within the village presents several challenges, chief among them limited lot sizes, providing adequate parking, the prevalence of bedrock, and flooding issues from Bear Creek and Trout Lake Creek. We reached out to various property owners but, until identifying the park as a viable option in October, came up empty-handed.

Of all the sites we evaluated, the park offers the greatest potential. One significant advantage is that the land could be contributed at no cost, which would substantially reduce the overall project expenses. A center can be linked with existing community facilities- the children’s play area and picnic area.

Why Is TLC Pursuing This Now?

Conversations with neighbors and results from our community survey have revealed a strong interest in establishing a senior community center, ideally with housing near the village center. In spring 2024, we engaged the Oregon Values & Beliefs Center, a nonprofit organization specializing in surveys for nonprofits and government agencies, to design and administer a community survey. The survey was conducted over the summer of 2024, and detailed results can be found here. Developing a general plan with community support, meeting legal requirements, establishing architectural plans, securing funding and partners, and designing and constructing improvements is a multi-year process. However, based on the survey results, the need for a senior center is now, and we are taking steps to begin the process.

On December 5, 2024, we achieved significant progress in satisfying the legal requirements of the original deed, making it possible to consider the park as a viable location. The original deed has a restriction that if the use is changed, the property reverts back to the successor to the grantees. We have secured the enthusiastic support of that successor, Ken Coate, who wrote a letter to the county in June 2025, pledging his cooperation, with the stipulation that after about 10% of the original land grant is reserved for a center, that the remaining land remain parkland in perpetuity. The county responded with a request for a meeting in July. At this point, we are not asking the county to approve or commit to this idea, but to examine the concept’s feasibility. This involves a legal determination for a path forward with the successor, and examining the impact and the cost of infrastructure necessary for the center.

What Do You Envision?

Many important questions need to be addressed with the community: Is the camping facility the best use of the park? What other park uses could benefit the community and gain county support? Potential improvements could include new trails, areas for family and community activities, a designated space for Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) hikers, and an emergency access point from Dean Road to better serve camper traffic.

To determine how much land would be required for a senior center, we conducted a preliminary site plan study, which was shared in December 2024. According to this study, approximately two acres—or about 10% of the park’s total land—would be needed for the center including limited housing. However, this is just a starting point for discussions. Any eventual design will be based on community input and reflect the unique rural character and scale of Trout Lake.

This center could also include a small number of dwellings along Mt. Adams Park Road. These residences would serve active seniors and disabled individuals who wish to remain in the community but face challenges such as limited family support, increasing physical limitations, or a desire to be closer to activities and friends.

A benefit of this plan could be accomplished without adding new roads. Adjustments would include reducing the number of overnight camping spots and relocating the dump site and host area. As community conversations progress, a “Master Plan” would emerge, shaped by public input and county support.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Once feasibility has been verified and land has been secured, we will take the time to proceed thoughtfully to determine the architectural program and preliminary design, perform cost estimates, and seek funding.

 We believe that now is the right time to pursue this initiative. In the future, conditions may no longer be favorable for setting aside land for a center, making this a critical opportunity.

“Our elders are the precious jewels of our society; they hold the history of who we are.”