The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department and the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde have entered into a partnership to develop and implement a plan for the Fort Yamhill property and the adjoining 112 acres owned by the Tribes. The Oregon State Parks Trust has joined the partnership to raise the resources needed to open Fort Yamhill to the public in 2006.

Elements of the new park include an access road, parking lot, restrooms, interpretive kiosks and trails, reconstruction of the picket fence surrounding the parade ground, and a flagpole.  Visitors will leave the park with a better understanding of the events that led up to the Fort’s closure and abandonment, and an appreciation of the cultural history of the Grand Ronde people.

Oregon State Parks Trust helped raise funds to analyze the site for its cultural significance utilizing historic maps and existing archaeological research studies.  Vegetation was removed to reveal the foundation evidence of fort buildings and features.  A youth crew worked on-site with tribal cultural resource personnel and state park historians to learn about the cultural history of the fort and the surrounding Indian reservation that existed in 1856 when the fort was constructed.