October 11, 2021 6:20 a.m.

A City of Roseburg Public Works Department employee has been recognized as an “everyday hero” by the Oregon Chapter of the American Public Works Association.

Engineering Technician Rick Castle picked up the award for his role in renovating Beulah Park in northeast Roseburg.

A release from the City of Roseburg said Castle got the Everyday Heroes Award during the professional organization’s virtual 2021 fall conference awards ceremony held last Thursday via Zoom.

Public Works Director Brice Perkins said, “Beulah Park would not be what it is without Rick’s efforts”.

Beulah Park, at 1284 Northeast Beulah Avenue, between Lincoln and Nash streets, was reopened with a ribbon cutting ceremony on July 22nd. Beulah Park is one of the city’s oldest parks. Its playground equipment had been removed in the past after no longer being serviceable. Renovation of the 6.85-acre park’s updated playground equipment, included ADA-accessible equipment, and added access paths, sidewalks, landscaping, shade trees and a new basketball court surface.

The release said Castle designed the entire project and also managed and coordinated the work of about 20 city employees plus contractors, throughout the course of the project, which began in late February. Castle served as project manager to stretch a roughly $158,000 Oregon Parks and Recreation Department grant farther. The total cost of the project was about $260,000.

The APWA’s Everyday Heroes Award is a recognition program that honors public employees identified by their peers, supervisors and customers for providing good customer service, making the best use of public resources, helping co-workers succeed and being a great person to work with, according to APWA.