Foundation brings fundraising efforts for TD park improvements
Nonprofit puts sites on the creation of a dog park and upgrades at City Park and Klindt’s Cove
Cody Cornett of the newly formed Parks of The Dalles foundation said the nonprofits first goal is raising money to resurface the tennis courts at Sorosis Park.
By Aaron Girdham and Cody Cornett
The Dalles, Ore., June 24, 2026 — People’s fondest hometown memories are of parks. Picnics, play days, quiet mornings, hot afternoons, and fourth of July.Cody Cornett and the newly formed Park Foundation of The Dalles wants to ensure those memories continue.
The Park Foundation is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to raise public funds for parks, recreational programs, and open spaces for the community of The Dalles. On the current board is Cody Cornett, Magan Cornett, Jeff Nichols, Linda McDonald, and Rebecca Thistlewaite. Learn more about Park Foundation of The Dalles at parkfoundationofthedalles.org.
The first project the foundation is raising money for is the resurfacing of the tennis courts of Sorosis Park. The current goal is $5,000, and the fundraising campaign will end July 11th. The court resurfacing is scheduled for July 12th. You can donate to that fundraising campaign here https://givebutter.com/3ervSM
“The Dalles has more park space than any other community in the Gorge,” said Cornett. “This is our treasure and it is and our pride that have these absolutely outstanding parks full of people using them." said Cornett to the sound of tennis and pickle balls bouncing in the background. "But it could be more and there is no reason why it can't be. And that's where the Park Foundation comes in. ”
The Park foundation received just last week an anonympus donation of $20,000 for the construction of a swing set at Sorosis Park. The Park Foundation was then able to pledge that amount to the project and Scott Baker and NWPRD was able to use that pledge in a matching grant effectively doubling that donation. Action like that is the power and effectiveness of Foundation that works in tandem with the Parks District.
The swing set project is scheduled to begin later this year just next to the new Tree Top playground. Cornett said that the North Wasco Parks and Recreation District master plans for the construction of a dog park and a large park on the West side of The Dalles. They have stated they are wanting to update both the City Park and Klindt’s Cove in the Port of The Dalles. Park Foundation of The Dalles will work alongside NWPRD to fundraise for those projects as they come up.
“We are open to donations for a specific project, rather than a general fund,” Cornett said. “We can hold donations indefinitely until a certain project is underway.”
Cornett was inspired to start this foundation when he visited his hometown of Valparaiso, Ind. and saw his father’s efforts in the local Park District there and how well the Park Foundation performed.
He was impressed to see that the Foundation was able to raise over $500,000 in recent years.
“That was the beginning of our foundation’s partnership with this community”, Cornett said.
"The Park Foundation is necessary because while we pay for our park system out of our property taxes, those only fund ongoing maintenance and administrative costs; System Development Charges crates money for capitol improvements in park spaces, but there are limitations to that, and we need more money put into our parks. I am personally donating to projects and I think there are many folks in this community of the same mindset that are want to put a little extra into our public spaces. Many small donations go a long way in the same way that many drops fill the bucket.”
About Park Foundation of The Dalles
The Park Foundation of The Dalles serves a simple purpose: To raise funds for the parks, recreational programs, and open spaces in The Dalles and surrounding areas. The Foundation began with the recognition of our local agencies' need for additional funding combined with the knowledge and collective desire of getting more resources into our shared spaces. We are a utility of the community for the betterment of our outdoor spaces and public health and enjoyment. It is our primary goal to work closely with our local agencies such as the Northern Wasco County Parks and Recreation District, Wasco County, and The City of The Dalles to align our fundraising efforts with their objectives and capacity. Within our UGB The Dalles has the most park land and open space of any community in the Gorge. It is our treasure and one of our greatest resources and we have created a structured and effective financial pathway for the public to give directly to enhancing those spaces for all to enjoy. The Park Foundation of The Dalles functions as a pass-through funding organization so 100% of your donation goes to the local agencies we support.
