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Tualatin parks-and-trails bond: Veterans Plaza opens; Nyberg Creek Trail construction slated for summer
Summary
Parks staff reported that half of bond investments are complete, including Veterans Plaza and multiple playground upgrades, and outlined remaining work: Nyberg Creek Trail, riverfront park planning, athletic‑field assessments and Las Casitas construction.
Rich Mueller, Parks Planning and Development Manager, and project staff updated the Tualatin City Council on April 14 about progress on the city’s parks-and-trails bond and related utility‑fee projects.
Mueller said about 50% of the bond investments are complete, with roughly $9 million spent to date on upgrades to existing parks, natural‑area acquisitions and play‑equipment improvements. “We’re really trying to get the word out,” he told the council, noting signage at Veterans Plaza and other completed sites.
Veterans Plaza and upcoming ribbon cutting
Project manager Cara Hein described Veterans Plaza — a recently completed memorial and gathering space with a reflection area, Story Circle and military emblems along a concourse — and announced a ribbon cutting for Memorial Day at 9:30 a.m.; Joe Lipscomb’s daughter is scheduled to speak. Hein said artwork is scheduled for installation at the end of the month and that a community brick program will continue to accept orders year‑round.
Nyberg Creek Trail and riverfront park planning
Hein said the Nyberg Creek Trail’s first phase is a three‑quarter‑mile, eight‑foot‑wide concrete trail from SW 60th (60th? referenced in presentation) to Saggart planned to begin construction at the start of summer. “We decided to go with concrete because it lasts longer. I think it lasts about 50 years,” Hein said, explaining the choice of material.
The bond also funds acquisition of a six‑acre parcel next to the Juanita Pohl Center (referred to in presentation as the Juanita Pohl Center) intended as the future riverfront park; staff said conceptual designs will be coordinated with downtown core planning so the park and nearby streetscape integrate.
Athletic fields, Las Casitas and other utility‑fee work
An initial community engagement and site feasibility study for athletic‑field investments was completed in 2024, staff said; the city is developing an internal process to prioritize amenities and serve the whole community rather than narrowly defined user groups. Las Casitas Park is under construction with a proposed playground, shade structure, half‑court basketball and a splash pad; staff expect construction to finish in winter 2025–26.
Hein said the Basalt Creek Parkland acquisition has secured 17 acres and that smaller utility‑fee projects such as stair replacements at Victoria Woods Trail and surfacing work at Woodrose Trail are either complete or out to bid. The parks facility assessment funded by the utility fee was completed in late 2024 and will be presented to council at a later date.
Budget update and schedule
Mueller told council the three completed project categories remain within budget; the Nyberg Creek Trail, riverfront access and athletic‑field investments remain in design and procurement. Staff expect remaining funds from the trail project to assist the city engineering work tied to a West‑of‑I‑5 water‑quality facility so designs align ahead of future trail extensions.
What council heard
Councilors praised the pace of work and community engagement and asked for construction timelines and additional outreach on the riverfront-park design. Councilors also asked staff to maintain coordination with regional partners where projects intersect larger efforts such as the downtown core plan and preserve next steps for athletic‑field siting and amenities.
