On Monday April 22 the Lincoln City city council approved a resolution to name the new community park located on SE 51st. as the Schooner Creek Discovery Park. The park will feature the ‘World’s Shortest Park Trail’ at 135 ft to be constructed in the open space directly east of the new park, with compacted natural stone and native plantings. There will also be an assible playground. Christmas Cottage owner Barbe Jenkins-Gibson will be donating musical instruments for the new playground. This will be the first new Lincoln City Community Park in over 20 years.
This 6.71 acre park is located at 4815 SE 51st St, the former Taft Elementary School site. In December 2020, Lincoln City was able to purchase the land from the Lincoln County School District. The development and construction of the new park is stated as the number one goal of the 2016 Lincoln City Parks System Plan and will address a recreation gap in Lincoln City. The park will also host a number of 1st public sites in Lincoln City and the Coast, such as the 1st inclusive and accessible playground, 1st permanent pickleball courts, 1st covered multi-sports court, 1st public turfed multi-sport field, a special event stage and lawn, picnic shelters, open space trail, and much more.
This park is located adjacent to the busy Taft tourist district, with shops, restaurants, hotels, and beach accesses, and will provide an economic boost to local businesses. In anticipation of park construction, generous donors are already contributing to the new park, including:
$1 million from State Bill 5202, thanks to Rep. Gomberg and Senator Anderson
$750k grant funding from Oregon Parks and Rec Dept
$485k donation from the William Byrd Upjohn estate
$100K grant from Travel Oregon
Musical instruments - thank you, Christmas Cottage
$15k grant funding - thank you, Lincoln County
$2k for 'World's Shortest Trail' - thank you, Oregon Parks Foundation
To view the park’s design or to support the new park go to the city of Lincoln City’s website
 .https://www.lincolncity.org/departments/parks-recreation/new-community-park-development#ad-image-5
