Stacy Witbeck, the construction manager-general contractor, worked with Portland Parks & Recreation (PPR) and lead designer Walker Macy for three years in preconstruction “figuring out how to make this happen,” says project manager Brent Allison. A series of value engineering and design review sessions identified cost-saving opportunities, and prioritized features that aligned most closely with the community’s needs and vision. For example, changing some concrete paths to asphalt or pea gravel significantly reduced costs without compromising functionality.

An old park and quarry are now a haven for children.
Photo courtesy Stacy Witbeck

The former quarry had been filled in and had settled over time, Allison says. “That parcel was underwater around three months of the year.” The team suggested to PPR that, rather than buying and hauling in all of the approximately 75,000 cu yd of fill needed, it could import 50,000 cu yd from other projects throughout the region. Doing so saved some $1 million. However, the wet conditions posed another challenge for the planned new trees. “We are doing a deep dive into tree species that are more tolerant of saturated root conditions,” says Hanson. “It’s become a de facto science experiment.”

Crews encountered bus-sized boulders underground. “The boulders were a challenge—but became a fantastic design opportunity to tell the history of the quarry,” says Taj Hanson, senior associate with Walker Macy. They were repurposed as landscape elements along with walking paths.

Recycled materials were prioritized: The aggregate base is composed of recycled concrete, asphalt and rock. Steel waste was recycled. Construction water came from an on-site well, and the project’s job trailer used rain barrels to supply toilets and sinks.

The project is the first to implement Portland’s Regional Workforce Equity Agreement and Construction Diversity Inclusion Policy. The agreement, adopted in 2022, expanded workforce and contracting requirements for city projects over $5 million to promote participation from women, minorities, apprentices and disadvantaged business enterprises. Parklane Park met the goals of 9% WBEs, 25% MBEs and 20% apprentices, says Allison.