Parklane Park
Portland, Ore.
BEST PROJECT
Presented by Stacy and Witbeck Inc.
owner Portland Parks and Recreation
Leading design company Walker Macy
General Contractor Stacy and Witbeck Inc.
Civil Engineer Standridge Inc.
Structural Engineer Grummel Engineering
MEP engineer PAE
Skate Park Designer Grindline Skateparks
Reg Landarc associates
A $20.4 million effort has transformed a 5-acre park into a 25-acre community center in East Portland. Among the many amenities are expanded community gardens, paved paths, an off-leash dog area, pavilion, soccer fields, basketball and tennis courts, skating, three different playgrounds and covered picnic area.
During conceptual estimates, a major budget challenge arose. An initial estimate of $8 million ballooned to nearly $30 million with 30% design. Using intensive value engineering at 50%, 75%, 90% and IFC milestones, the team prioritized features that aligned with community needs. Changing some concrete paths to asphalt or gravel, for example, significantly reduced costs without compromising functionality.
Photo courtesy of Stacy Witbeck
The contractor’s early involvement, nearly two years prior to construction, allowed for advanced planning, early placement of materials and strategic resurfacing of the pavilion site, eliminating the need for more expensive soil stabilization methods.
Located in a former quarry, the site required approximately 75,000 cubic meters of fill. Instead of buying expensive topsoil, the team imported 50,000 cubic yards of unspecified soil from various Portland projects at no cost, mixed it with compost, and topped it with 6 to 10 inches of specific soil, saving more than $1 million in materials and shipping costs.
Photo courtesy of Stacy Witbeck
However, the site was also classified as Title-D, meaning no land could be exported. Crews prioritized recycled materials and aggregate base, recycled steel scrap and diverted all demolished materials from the landfill.
To ensure durability and preserve the finished work, the team also carefully sequenced construction activities to minimize damage to the finished work.
Photo courtesy of Stacy Witbeck
Drone-generated models were integrated with Trimble software to create detailed 3D site models, allowing the team to carry out their own survey and design work. The GPS-controlled grading equipment also enabled efficient and high-precision earthmoving operations, minimizing waste, reducing rework and accelerating timelines.
The team delivered Parklane Park on time and on budget in May 2025.
