City Vision Statement

Scappoose

Scappoose is a small town nestled in the heart of a Pacific wonderland—surrounded by lush green forests, the majestic Columbia River, and panoramic views of the snowcapped Cascade Mountains. It is no secret why the Chinookan People made this unique place their home for centuries. Today, our community is distinguished by its balance of rural and urban living—we are proud of our independence and small-town personality, yet we value our closeness to neighboring cities and towns. Scappoose is friendly and welcoming, and we cherish the way we know, care about, and rely upon each other. We desire to preserve the harmonious qualities of our home as we anticipate change and look ahead to the future.

Smart Growth

Inspired by our responsibility to tomorrow’s generations, we pursue forward-thinking and sustainable solutions to grow mindfully while keeping in step with our environment. We strive for high-quality development and infrastructure, and to provide equal and affordable housing opportunities for all to live and raise a family.

Sustainable Economy

We take pride in our locally owned businesses that add quality and character to our town, and we respect our abundant natural resources that have sustained our community for years. We can forge a path to a balanced, local economy by opening doors for entrepreneurs, clean industry, higher education and research. We seek sustainable, living-wage jobs and careers that support families and future generations.

Local Pride

Art and self-expression greatly enhance our cultural identity, and we value our local artists who cultivate pride in our community. We strive to preserve our unique cultural artifacts and foster education and the arts by promoting city beautification, cultural heritage projects, and public art. We treasure our heritage as a meeting place for Native Americans, and we hope to honor those who lived here in the past as we tell the story of Scappoose in the present.

Connected Community

Safe and comfortable transportation is central to our quality of life. We value our local trails that offer world-class opportunities for walking and biking, and our scenic byways that connect us to greater Oregon. We will work to ensure better connectivity, safer commuting, modern transit, and equal opportunities for people to walk, bike, ride or drive. We aspire to be a pleasant and accessible town, and we encourage others to slow down, explore, and enjoy Scappoose.

Lifelong Learning

We prize our exceptional schools and teachers that pass along our knowledge to future generations, instill our community with creative adaptability, and create cultural awareness and resilience. We aim to develop educational opportunities for all ages and ability levels as we strive to be a community that never stops thinking, learning, and doing.

Caring Community

Peace and good health are essential to our town’s growth and well-being. We value our community spaces and parks that support active living and civic engagement, and we cherish how we care for and rely upon each other. We strive to be aware and prepared, and to empower everyone to lend a hand when challenges arise. We aspire to be a neighborly community where anyone can safely and comfortably visit businesses and schools, enjoy the outdoors, and be at peace in their homes.

Passionate Stewardship

Our wild and scenic landscape is an extension of our community, and we treasure our beautiful setting that makes Scappoose a serene place to live. We are committed to nurturing and preserving our open spaces, natural habitats, and diverse ecosystems, and we will champion new opportunities for conservation and peaceful engagement with our environment. As stewards of our land, air, and water, we seek to protect this special place for generations to come.

Prepared by the Community Vision Committee
Kirk Pierce, Meris Brown, Veronica Reeves, Zachary Hilleson, Brandon Lesowske, Derrick Vargason, Holly Beaulac, Natalie Sanders, Nicole Ferreira, Paulette Lichatowich, Tom Morse, Michael Sykes & Nicholas Sund

Adopted August 1st, 2016 by the Scappoose City Council
Scott Burge, Jeff Ericksen, Barb Hayden, Jason Meshell, Joel Haugen, Mark Reed, Rich Riffle