ASTORIA, Ore. — The Astoria Nordic Heritage Park has surpassed $1 million in funding through mostly individual donations, with $450,000 left to raise before construction begins.
The Astoria Scandinavian Heritage Association has been working since 2015 to build a park to honor the impact of Scandinavian immigrants to the North Coast. Astoria has approved the plans and provided a site at Peoples Park along Marine Drive and the Astoria Riverwalk.
Backers hope to begin construction in the fall.
Conceptual drawings of the Nordic park feature a large midsummer pole in the middle of a plaza surrounded by trees and shrubbery. Five granite slabs and flagpoles represent Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. An archway leads to a series of interpretive panels explaining the heritage of Scandinavians in the region.
Judi Lampi, the chairwoman of the park committee, said more than 70% of donations have come from individuals. The park has also received several grants, including $27,000 from the Oregon Cultural Trust to install interpretive panels and $2,000 to hire a fundraising consultant.