Council unanimously awards construction contract for Las Casitas Park renovation

TUALATIN, Ore. — The Tualatin City Council voted unanimously on Jan. 27 to award the construction contract for the Las Casitas Park renovation, approving Resolution 5863‑25.

The project follows a 2019 park master plan and subsequent public engagement; staff said the design integrates community preferences and secured private easements that add roughly 10 feet of park land along the park’s eastern edge and provide an accessible ramp linking the park to Rolling Hills Apartments.

Rich Mueller, parks planning and development manager, told the council the redesign grew from a community process that included a Spanish‑first engagement approach and produced a preferred concept. He said the city worked for several years to negotiate easements with neighboring property owners, allowing an accessible ramp connection from the park into the apartment parking lot and helping to lower slopes for ADA compliance.

The council discussed turf and irrigation, with one member reiterating a preference for smart irrigation controls to conserve water and staff confirming the plan includes a smart irrigation system similar to recent city projects. Mueller said the playground surface will be synthetic while other areas include natural turf and landscaping.

Mueller said construction would likely start in March and wrap up in winter 2025–26; the project timeline and closures will be the subject of public information and neighborhood outreach if the contract is awarded.

The vote and next steps

A motion to adopt Resolution 5863‑25 passed unanimously. Councilors Hillier, Reyes, Gonzales and Brett and the chair (Mayor Bubenik) announced their votes in favor on the record; no council member voted against or abstained.

Mueller said project staff will post construction notices, provide schedule updates and coordinate with neighbors and Rolling Hills Apartments on access and closures. Councilors asked for the landscaping plans to be shared with council members ahead of construction. The council did not change the approved conceptual design or construction scope when it voted.

Project background

Mueller said the Las Casitas renovation traces to the 2019 parks master plan and a Stone Ridge Park redesign report; the community exercise produced a conceptual design and the final plan reflects multiple rounds of outreach. Council formally approved the park name "Las Casitas Park" in November 2023 following community input.

"Extensive community and neighborhood involvement" informed the design, Mueller said, and the renovation project is intended to improve accessibility, amenities and safety for neighbors.

The council’s action authorizes the city manager to proceed with contract execution and for staff to begin construction outreach and scheduling.