Stay up-to-date on the construction process for the new park and community center at the Concord Property. Click or tap the button below to see footage of the construction site, or keep scrolling down for an archive of project updates and photos for the project. Check back often for updates!
March 17, 2025
The "fox den" is beginning to take shape too. Made from boulders, it offers children the opportunity to climb and scramble over them. This feature is an important part of the play area, encouraging imaginative play. Additionally, crouching inside the fox den provides a quieter retreat, allowing children to step away from the more stimulating parts of the playground.
March 13, 2025
Despite the wet weather, there’s significant progress being made in the playground. The concrete channel running through the water play area is equipped with check dams and water stops, giving children the opportunity to control the flow of water and creating an interactive experience. The channel features a textured bottom with colored aggregate, which is especially helpful for children with visual impairments. Additionally, the slightly rougher surface of the concrete provides a non-slip grip, encouraging kids to remove their shoes and enjoy the water.
February 25, 2025
The wet weather hasn’t stopped construction progress at the playground. A large concrete boom began pouring the concrete curbs. Contractors are setting forms to pour the accessible paths that will take park-goers to the top of the highest mound.
February 24, 2025
We have an elevator inside the community center! This is a critical upgrade to improve the accessibility of the community center.
Utility work is currently underway to route water away from and around the building to the new, large stormwater facility at the southwest corner of the parking lot. This additional site work will prevent further water damage to the building.
February 10, 2025
Hoo hoo hoo is excited about this new inclusive playground!? We certainly are! One of the large sculptural climbing pieces arrived last week, along with a wide concrete slide. The barn owl climber is a hoot and compliments the Willamette Valley nature play theme. A crane lifted it from a flatbed truck and placed it on the top of the highest mound on the playground. And one of the many ways to get down the mound is to slide down the concrete slide. This slide is “triple-wide” and will provide endless fun for kids of all abilities. It includes a transfer platform as well as an accessible grab bar for wheelchair access at the top of the slide. The extra wide width allows for a child to wait at the bottom while their caregiver brings their mobility device back to them, while leaving room for other children to easily use the slide.
Rough grading of the water play feature is complete. We are excited to document this feature as construction progresses within the play area.
Jan 16, 2025
A recent drone shot showcases great progress on the site. The parking lot is graded and concrete curbs have been poured to define the landscape islands. This bird’s eye view also provides a glimpse of the near-complete roof on the Concord building as well as the location of the new library building.
Nov 27, 2024
Rough grading in the parking lot is complete and most of the concrete curbs have been formed and poured. The first lift of asphalt paving will be completed in mid-December. Trees, shrubs and ground cover will be planting in the parking lot islands and perimeter planting beds.
The stormwater planter at the southwest corner of the property is being prepared for planting. This facility will contain 18” to 24” of well-draining stormwater soil mix and drainage layers within the surrounding concrete wall. The stormwater from the site will enter the facility and slowly release to the public storm main.
November 20, 2024
Not all improvements are visible or will add to the curb appeal for the community center; however, the renovations that are currently underway will be beneficial to enhancing the quality and comfortability of the space.
A sneak peak into the attic shows the complicated work involved in boosting the structure of the roof to support the large equipment that will heat and cool the building.
October 15, 2024
The new entry to the community center is starting to take shape. A large hole has been cut into the brick façade and the contractor is working on forming the main entry footing. Once the structural supports are installed, the large temporary beams (shoring) will be removed, and the storefront windows and doors will be placed. A computer-generated image illustrates the new, welcoming main entrance. We can’t wait for the community to come through the front doors! The building renovations are expected to be completed by fall 2025.
In the computer-generated image, the building name “Concord Community Center” is a placeholder and is not the actual name of the community center. A public process to select a name for the park and community center will be undertaken soon.
September 17, 2024
Utility work is taking place around the building. Underground conduits have been installed and are being backfilled. The PGE transformer vault will be installed soon. This utility work directly supports the new HVAC system and upgraded electrical system for the Community Center.
A section of the new roof can be seen from the bird’s eye photo on the right. This photo is taken from behind the building, looking toward SE Concord Ave. The roof replacement is expected to be complete by the end of October.
August 20, 2024
The exterior of the Concord building is getting a mini facelift. A fresh coat of paint on the exterior doors and trim will do wonders for the community center’s curb appeal. Going beyond a simple color change, the new paint will provide protection and minimize the exposure to weather damage, insects, sun, dust, mold and mildew. Previously boarded up, the paned glass windows above the doors were a lovely discovery! The broken window panes were replaced, restoring some of the historic charm of the building.
July 30, 2024
Accessible ADA improvements are underway, as some construction efforts moved to the interior of the building this month. The contractor began working on shoring (or temporarily supporting) the building for the main entry construction. The room with the exposed brick wall is located above the new community center lobby. The casework and sheetrock were removed in this room to create access to the structural steel frame. A whole new entry will be cut into the brick façade to make way for an accessible entrance that connects with the new library accessible entrance and plaza.
In addition to a new accessible entrance and lobby, a new elevator is another major ADA improvement to the community center. Demolition work within the new elevator area footprint (photos with the stud wall) also began on the first and second floors. These ADA improvements will go a long way to making the community center an inclusive, safe and welcoming place for the community!
Site clearing involves demolition of the outdoor covered basketball court, so the excavators can begin the rough grading of the parking lot.
July 9, 2024
The Concord building roof replacement project is progressing and on schedule. For organizational purposes, the roof area was divided into four different sections. Areas A and B are on the NW side of the building, Area C is on the SW side along SE Concord Ave and Area D is the section of roof over the gym in the center of the building. Areas A and B are demolished, and the roofers are installing plywood, blocking, and weather protection. Area C demolition will begin the week of July 15, 2024.
June 18, 2024
Renovations to the community center have begun! The Concord building roof replacement has started in the NW wing of the former school building. Composition shingles were demolished and the area was covered for temporary weather protection until the new replacement shingles arrive (the color of the shingles is an exact match to what is being replaced).
JUNE 10, 2024
The contractor is clearing ground to easily install underground utilities that will service the community center, library, and community park. The stairs to the building will remain, however, a new, accessible entrance (off to the left of the stairs) will become the main entry in and out of the community center. This area will eventually have a new sidewalk, bike parking, landscaping, trees and lawn.
JANUARY 10, 2024
The construction crew began the process of excavating the site where the new park and library will be located, including moving soil and rocks from certain areas of the property. Grading of the site has also begun, including removing slopes and leveling ground surfaces.
The previous playground structure on the west side of the property, and grass field on the north side, have been removed to clear the site for further construction.
Groundbreaking Celebration
SEPTEMBER 16, 2023
Park-lovers, library-lovers and community members of all ages came together to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony for the new park and Oak Lodge Library. It marked the beginning of construction for these exciting projects, and for enhancements to the Concord school building, which is being preserved for public use as an NCPRD community center.