Parks & Recreation Commission

Mission Statement

“To enhance the quality of life by providing safe well-maintained parks and public places, preserving open spaces and historical resources, strengthening bonds of the community, and creating opportunities for renewal, growth, enrichment, health and well-being of our people, our community and our environment”.

The purpose of the Weston Parks and Recreation Commission is to act as an arm of the city in planning and overseeing improvements to the park system in Weston. 

The Commission defined a “Park” as any outdoor recreational space within Weston City limits and any buildings on the site (e.g. Elliott Memorial Park has kitchen and bathroom facilities on the property). 

The Commission does not have the authority to make decisions without the approval of the City Council, but will identify problem areas, research solutions, and make recommendations to the City Council for approval.

Weston Community Development Commission (WCDC)

About the WCDC

Founded in 1865, Weston, Oregon is a small rural community located in Eastern Oregon. Once a thriving community, it was in hot competition to be the county seat and was the site of the State Normal School, now known as Eastern Oregon University in LaGrande. At one time, Weston Brick Company operated at the present site of Smith Frozen Foods where bricks were manufactured by the millions and shipped out for construction of buildings and railroad tunnels. The railroad ran through the community and a stagecoach stopped in Weston for passengers.

Once a thriving town of thousands, with a water fountain in the middle of Main Street (we still have the fountain, but it was moved to a small pocket park off Main Street!) and successful businesses lining both sides of Main Street, Weston is now designated as a distressed rural area of merely 703 people. Its main industry is food processing, but the majority of the workers live elsewhere as housing is limited. Highway 204 once ran through the heart of the town but now bypasses the community north of Main Street, just off Highway 11. Travelers on Highway 11 never see the community as it is situated in a small valley along Pine Creek about two miles off the road.

In essence, what was once a thriving community has become a dormant community and the best kept secret in Northeastern Oregon. We have a lot to offer in our Commercial Historic District (listed on the National Register of Historic Places), our history, our farm lands, the view of the Walla Walla Valley from Weston Mountain, the recreation areas in the Tollgate area and simply the friendliness of the citizens who call Weston home. Being in a small community with a limited economic base, the residents have come to realize that if the city is to thrive again, we must take steps toward revitalizing our community.

The City of Weston has only a few paid staff who serve at city hall and the public works department. The remainder of the work is done by volunteers of the city council and various city commissions. In 2017 the city council created the Weston Community Development Commission (WCDC) to propose projects to help revitalize Weston. The first meeting was held in June 2000, and since that time, its members have planned and implemented a number of projects including the installation of street lighting along Main Street, two pioneer themed welcome sites at either end of town, decorative brick and ironwork for the bridge on Main Street and the construction of the Heritage Wall.

Currently, WCDC members are exploring new projects for the beautification of the downtown historic area and sites within the city's urban growth boundary. Our mission is to develop and maintain the pride of the Weston community both current and future.