DUNDEE, Ore. — Chehalem Parks and Recreation District (CPRD) cut the ribbon on its newest park, debuting Dundee’s Sander Estate Park on Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
The park, located on SW 5th Street across the street from Dundee’s Billick Park, drew more than 100 attendees on a clear summer day. CPRD, city, county, and state officials spoke about the importance of parks and about the late Jan Sander, who died in January 2026.
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The program opened with CPRD Superintendent Clay Downing, followed by CPRD Board President Jim McMaster, who spoke about the process and path to develop the park. U.S. Rep. Andrea Salinas spoke next, followed by Gustavo Guerrero, a field representative for Sen. Jeff Merkley. Outgoing Yamhill County Commissioner Mary Starrett and Dundee Mayor David Ford also spoke, followed by longtime Sander family friend John Kester.
After the speakers shared their remarks, officials and community members gathered behind a golden ribbon, which McMaster cut following a countdown. Attendees then signed a commemorative poster, explored the park, and cooled off in the splash pad.
“For the Citizens of Dundee”
CPRD broke ground on the Sander Estate on Aug. 13, 2025, starting the transformation of the 6.7-acre grassed property into a park featuring an open lawn, a public restroom, a conifer feature, and a water splash pad. Phase two planning includes a reception hall, plaza, and water feature.
Dundee resident Janis “Jan” Sander first approached the district in 2008 about donating the land, according to CPRD Board President Jim McMaster. At the time, McMaster was the district’s parks supervisor and project manager. The estate includes a home, farmhouse, barn, and a variety of fruit and nut trees.
Kester said Sander and her family envisioned the land being donated “for the citizens of Dundee,” a phrase she often used when describing the future park.
“It’s been years we’ve been driving by the park to see if anything has started,” he said in an earlier interview with Newsberg published Aug. 19, 2025. “So now to finally be able to drive by and see work done, it’s going to be very exciting. She’s already asking me where I think they’ll start and what will be done first.”
CPRD purchased half of the property, and Sander donated the other half, according to the district.
At a special meeting on July 17, 2025, the CPRD board awarded the Phase 1 development bid to Saunders Co. for just over $3 million.
Learn more at the Chehalem Parks and Recreation District website.
Sander Estate is officially open in Dundee, Ore. starting July 8, 2026. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
CPRD director Matt Smith (left) and Yamhill County Commissioner David “Bubba” King (right) chat before the Sander Estate ribbon cutting ceremony on July 8, 2026 in Dundee, Ore. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
Former CPRD Board Director Mike Ragsdale (seated) receives praise for his work that helped the Sander Estate project cross the finish line during the ribbon cutting ceremony on July 8, 2026. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
CPRD superintendent Clay Downing addresses the crowd during the Sander Estate ribbon cutting in Dundee, Ore. on July 8, 2026. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
Congresswoman Andrea Salinas (right) shares words to the crowd during the Sander Estate ribbon cutting ceremony in Dundee, Ore. on July 8, 2026. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
The sun was shining brightly overhead as Senator Jeff Merkley’s field representative Gustavo Guerrero took the podium to share words with the crowd during the Sander Estate ribbon cutting ceremony on July 8, 2026. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
Yamhill County Commissioner Mary Starrett talked about the importance of heritage parks during her speech at the Sander Estate ribbon cutting ceremony on July 8, 2026 in Dundee, Ore. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
Jan Sander’s longtime friend John Kester shared words for the Sander Estate during the ribbon cutting on July 8, 2026, saying that in her final months she enjoyed driving by the park to see progress. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
Sander Estate Park officially opened on July 8, 2026 in Dundee, Oregon as CPRD Board President Jim McMaster (center) cuts the golden ribbon. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
Dundee Mayor David Ford shares a laugh with Sander Estate ribbon cutting ceremony attendees on July 8, 2026 after the ribbon cutting. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
After the ribbon cutting ceremony, attendees signed a Sander Estate poster to commemorate the event on July 8, 2026. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
An early feature of the Sander Estate, the splash pad, was already in heavy use during the warm July 8, 2026 day during the ribbon cutting ceremony. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg) 
Attendees switched to park-goers after the ribbon cutting ceremony concluded, leaving attendees to fan around and enjoy the park’s open spaces and features. (Branden Andersen / Newsberg)
