Deerfield Park covers nearly 11 acres north of Del Rio Avenue east of Waverly Drive in South Albany.
The renovation of Deerfield Park in South Albany was supposed to be complete by the fall of 2025. But as nearby residents know, it is not quite finished yet.
The 11.88-acre park — larger than your typical neighborhood park — is on the north side of Del Rio Avenue east of Waverly Drive. The bike took me there last week.
All but the playground looked pretty much complete. By email I asked Kim Lyddane, Albany parks and recreation director, about the status of the renovation.
“Deerfield is taking longer than we had planned or hoped,” she replied.
One setback came last summer when, Lyddane said, a crack appeared in the newly poured slab for the basketball court. After additional soil tests, a new slab had to be poured, and the completion date was pushed back.
“Additional work slowed a bit during the winter due to the holiday and weather,” Lyddane said. “At that time, there were a few other change orders that came in that required us to go back to council for additional spending. The contractor who did the park (minus the playground) is done with their portion for now.”
“The project will get completed this spring,” Lyddane added. “People are already enjoying the soft surface trail (we get emails regularly of people telling us how much they enjoy it), the basketball court, and the disc golf course. The playground is the last piece and I know we are all excited for it to be completed.”
People can use the playground as soon as the fence is removed. A formal opening of the renovated park will be scheduled in the summer.
The city called for bids for the Deerfield renovation in February 2025. Eleven bidders submitted proposals. Durbin Excavating, of Eugene, got the job with its low bid of $704,032.
The construction contract did not cover the playground equipment, surface or installation, or furniture such as benches, picnic tables, trash cans and so forth. Those were bought separately.
The city’s budget for the renovation was $1.2 million, and Lyddane expects the final costs to come in close to that amount. Some $485,000 of the total was a grant from Oregon state parks. The city services fee made up the rest. (hh).
On Feb, 28, the Deerfield Park playground was still unfinished and fenced off.
I sure hope they put more benches and
And picnic tables. The companies doing a lousy job
Thanks Hasso, Nice to know !
Is it a life or death situation? I don’t think so. Find something else to write about.
Huge amount of gall & chutzpah…
Find something else to bitch about.
Chronic syndrome of a LIB. Go out of your way to be offended about nothing.
“And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out…..” Maybe you should pluck yourself?
This is Hasso’s blog not the newspaper. He can write about whatever he pleases. Just like you don’t have to read it. Have some respect for this man. He goes above and beyond to keep the community informed.
If that’s your attitude, why do you even come here at all?
Appreciate all the updates on everything you cover for us all!
Thank you.
“The city’s budget for the renovation was $1.2 million, and Lyddane expects the final costs to come in close to that amount. Some $485,000 of the total was a grant from Oregon state parks. The city services fee made up the rest.”
So, I presume that means $700k+ comes from “The city services fee”?
Who are the people that decide what project gets what money & how much? Do they have any other function? Were they hired or appointed?
I’d love to hear the actual amount instead of the nebulous “close to budget”, please don’t ask again.
I’ll ask when it’s done.
Thanks Hasso!
I enjoy your updates on things in
our area. You are good at giving the history of your topic,as well as issues that affect it currently and in the future. You also provide follow-up which I appreciate.
Thank you.