Rick Castle recognized as 'Everyday Hero'

Oregon Chapter of the American Public Works Association honors Roseburg Public Works employee 

ROSEBURG, OR – The Oregon Chapter of the American Public Works Association on Thursday, Oct. 7, recognized Roseburg Public Works Department engineering technician Rick Castle as an everyday hero for his critical role in renovating Beulah Park in Northeast Roseburg.  Castle, who’s worked for the Public Works Department for 16 years, got an Everyday Heroes Award during the APWA Oregon Chapter’s virtual 2021 Fall Conference awards ceremony, held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday via Zoom. 

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

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

 
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 stepped up to design the renovation and serve as project manager to stretch a roughly $158,000 Oregon Parks and Recreation Department grant farther. The total project cost was about $260,000.

 
Knowing the grant would only fund approximately 60% of the project, the City elected to manage the project and perform as much of the work as possible. Castle designed the project; performed project surveying work; coordinated purchase, delivery and installation of ADA-accessible playground equipment; managed a construction contract for concrete work; coordinated installation of the Forever Lawn synthetic grass playground surface; coordinated work by City street and parks crews; and maintained proper records for the grant, according to Perkins.

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

 
 “Thousands of men and women in Oregon provide and maintain the infrastructure and services collectively known as ‘public works.’ Their efforts improve the quality of life for present and future generations. These public servants often serve society and the public good, every day, with quiet dedication (but) without public recognition,” APWA stated in the online nomination form.