In 1964, a group of citizens spearheaded a campaign to create the South Clackamas County Recreation District (SCRD). Their goal was to build a swimming pool at Wait Park, which at that time was a partially-open block containing the band hall and ball fields.
The voters did not approve a corresponding tax base for the District at that time. Because of this, the District remains currently unfunded.
The group proposed two levies in the 1960's, but both were defeated. Undeterred, they formed a non-profit organization, secured a federal loan, and signed a 99-year lease with the elementary school district to build a swimming pool. At that time, the elementary and high school districts were separate entities.
The pool opened in 1970 on elementary property near Lee and Ackerman schools. After five years of operation, the non-profit group was able to pay the interest on the loan, but never any principal. Recognizing the community value of having a swimming pool, the city passed a $150,000 levy to purchase the pool from the non-profit group and also buy land for Maple Street Park. The funding package included a $29,000 matching grant.
The Board of Directors has subsequently presented additional proposals for a tax base to the voters, which have yet to be approved.
Over the past four decades, the name of the South Clackamas Recreation District was changed to the Blue Heron Recreation District (BHRD), and in November 2006 was changed again to the current name: Canby Area Parks and Recreation District (CAPRD). The Board of Directors at that time felt that the new name more accurately describes where the District is located and what services it aims to provide.