City Of Tualatin To Celebrate Completion Of Veterans Plaza With Ribbon Cutting Ceremony On Memorial Day (Photo) -05/23/25

TUALATIN, OR — The City of Tualatin is proud to announce the official ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly completed Veterans Plaza, taking place on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, at 9:30am at Tualatin Lake of the Commons. This special event marks the culmination of five years of planning, community input, and construction aimed at honoring the service and sacrifice of local veterans and their families.

 

Veterans Plaza was thoughtfully designed as a place of peaceful reflection, featuring native plantings and stone elements that create a serene atmosphere. The plaza is now also home to three original sculptures by nationally renowned artist Douwe Blumberg, selected by the Veterans Plaza Service-Inspired Art Committee for their powerful storytelling and emotional resonance.

 

“This plaza represents our community’s deep respect and appreciation for those who have served,” said Tualatin Mayor Frank Bubenik. “It is a lasting tribute to our veterans and their families as it is a space where people can gather, remember, and reflect. We are proud to open this meaningful place to the public on Memorial Day.”

 

Following the ribbon cutting, attendees are invited to join the annual Memorial Day Observance at 10:45 AM, held across the Lake of the Commons. The observance will continue the day’s recognition of veterans and provide a solemn space for remembrance.

The City invites all community members, veterans, and their families to attend this momentous occasion.

For more information, visit www.tualatinoregon.gov.

 

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City Of Tualatin Partners With Hazelbrook Middle School And LAM Research For Inaugural “HMS Cares” (Photo) -05/14/25

TUALATIN, OR –
The City of Tualatin is proud to partner with Hazelbrook Middle School, LAM Research, SOLVE, Friends of Trees, and Tualatin Riverkeepers to host the first-ever Hazelbrook Middle School Cares day of service on Tuesday, May 20. This collaborative initiative supported by the Parent-Student Organization brings together students, families, non-profit organizations, local businesses, and City staff for a day dedicated to service, learning, and community stewardship.
 

An anticipated 880 Hazelbrook Middle School students will participate in volunteer projects across the community. Students and parent volunteers will work directly with LAM Research employees, SOLVE volunteers, Friends of Trees, Tualatin Riverkeepers,  and City of Tualatin staff at Tualatin Community Park, Jurgens Park, and the school campus—making a tangible impact through environmental cleanups, infrastructure education, and stewardship activities.

The day’s activities will feature a mix of educational and hands-on experiences, including:

• Environmental Science Learning: Students will participate in projects influencing stream health and the Tualatin Watershed. Students will identify native plants and remove invasive plants in greenspaces improving forest diversity.
• Civic Responsibility: Students will learn about city assets, city infrastructure, parks, trails and greenspaces and help maintain them for community health, safety and longevity.
• Community Litter Blitz: SOLVE team members and City staff will lead students in a community and campus litter cleanup. Students will explore the environmental and community costs of litter, and learn how they can help and inspire others.

The goal of HMS Cares is to inspire students through meaningful volunteerism alongside family members, while fostering a deeper understanding of environmental responsibility and the role of public service in their daily lives.
 

“HMS Cares Day is a powerful example of what can happen when students, families, non-profit organizations, businesses, and local government come together,” said Jackie Konen, Volunteer Program Manager for the City of Tualatin. “It’s more than a volunteer day—it’s an investment in youth leadership, environmental responsibility, and community connection that we hope will inspire lasting impact.”
 

The City of Tualatin is excited to support Hazelbrook Middle School in this inspiring new tradition that helps students develop a lasting sense of civic pride, environmental awareness, and community connection.
 

Join Us
The City of Tualatin is grateful for every volunteer who donates their time and talent to make our community stronger. To learn more about how you can get involved, visit www.tualatinoregon.gov/volunteers.

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Tualatin Celebrates Volunteers During National Volunteer Appreciation Month (Photo) -05/05/25

TUALATIN, OR — In recognition of April as National Volunteer Appreciation Month, the City of Tualatin proudly celebrated the individuals, families, and groups whose volunteer service strengthens the community and builds a brighter, more connected future.
 

“Tualatin is stronger because of the passion and commitment of our volunteers. Their generosity shapes the heart of our city and inspires us all.” — Mayor Frank Bubenik

In 2024, more than 750 volunteers contributed approximately 16,000 hours to a wide variety of City programs. From planting over 2,000 trees and tackling trash in the Put Down Roots in Tualatin program to supporting Library programs and students at Bridgeport Elementary through the Homework Helpers initiative, these dedicated individuals have made a lasting impact across the city.
 

Volunteers also removed invasive species and litter from local trails and restoration sites through Do It Yourself projects. Over 250 youth volunteers gave their time to the Library Summer Teen program, TEAM Tualatin, and a range of community events.
 

Volunteers from the Tualatin Historical Society preserve the city’s heritage, while the Juanita Pohl Center’s Guest Services volunteer team leads recreational activities and provides a welcoming environment for all. Members of the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) support safety initiatives, and City Advisory Boards and Committees help shape Tualatin’s future. The Friends of the Library group continues to support programs and collections. Additionally, students from middle and high schools bring fresh energy and ideas to volunteer roles, and local corporate teams regularly join in to maintain parks and bring magic to community events.
 

The City of Tualatin extends heartfelt thanks to every volunteer and is pleased to honor three standout contributors for their exceptional service:
 

Outstanding Adult Volunteer

Blake Buchanan-Munro – Storytime Assistant and Homework Helper
Blake joined Tualatin Public Library’s volunteer program in 2022 as a program assistant and became an instant hit with the kids and librarians. When a Storytime Assistant was needed for Mondays, Blake offered to volunteer. She has been getting silly with stories and keeping Storytimes lively and safe for three years.

In the same year, Blake joined the Homework Helpers to provide critical reading, writing and math support to children at Bridgeport Elementary. The City of Tualatin deeply appreciates Blake’s 188 hours of energetic service and her positive impact on our youngest learners.

Outstanding Youth Volunteer

Ava Marsh
Ava Marsh began volunteering in the City of Tualatin in 2019. Ava has served as a Community Event volunteer, often recruiting her friends and family to help bring the magic to Blender Dash, Viva Tualatin and Pumpkin Regatta.  Ava also gives her time to TEAM Tualatin as a summer youth volunteer.  In this program, she is instrumental in maintaining city assets, parks, trails and greenspaces. Ava takes on leadership responsibilities for TEAM and sets the standard for work ethic, initiative and positive attitude.

In 2021, Ava joined the Tualatin Youth Advisory Council (YAC).  In YAC, Ava has been able to use her ideas and her voice to advocate for youth and represent the voice of youth to City Council. Elected by her peers, Ava has served as co-chair for two years, and she represented the City at the National League of Cities Conference, bringing back new ideas to implement in Tualatin.

Ava ‘s service in multiple City programs influences the livability of Tualatin, and will benefit our community for years to come. 

Outstanding Volunteer Group

Tualatin Rotary Club
The Tualatin Rotary Club has been active in our community for 45 years. The Rotary Club focuses on giving service in 5 areas: club service, community service, international service, vocational service and youth service. This group of 44 members has a long-standing history of achieving significant improvements with measurable outcomes in each of these areas of focus.

Rotarians address the community need for educating and mentoring the youth of Tualatin. They mentor and fund the TUHS Intercambio, they raise funds and have awarded over $300,000 in scholarships, they give free books to students through their Books on Wheels program and they give every third grade student in our community a dictionary. 

Tualatin Rotary also dedicates time and resources to the environment through their involvement in City litter clean ups and restoration work. Rotarians have been cleaning up Tualatin Road twice yearly for 20 years. For the last 6 years, they have joined in the City’s Hug a Street program for litter clean up and have been planting trees with the Put Down Roots in Tualatin program.  The Tualatin Rotary Club is truly outstanding in their service to youth, the community and the environment.

Join Us
The City of Tualatin is grateful for every volunteer who donates their time and talent to make our community stronger. To learn more about how you can get involved, visit www.tualatinoregon.gov/volunteers.

 

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City Of Tualatin Welcomes Aquilla Hurd-Ravich As New Community Development Director (Photo) -05/02/25

TUALATIN, OR — The City of Tualatin is pleased to announce the appointment of Aquilla Hurd-Ravich as its new Community Development Director. In this role, she will oversee the City's Planning, Building, Engineering, Economic Development, and Urban Renewal programs, and serve as a member of Tualatin’s Executive Management Team. Hurd-Ravich’s first day was April 28, 2025.
 

This appointment marks a return to Tualatin for Hurd-Ravich, who previously served in the same position from March 2018 to October 2020. She originally joined the City as a Senior Planner in 2007 and was promoted to Planning Manager in 2010, a role she held for eight years.
 

Since November 2021, Hurd-Ravich has served as the Community Development Director for the City of Oregon City. There, she led numerous impactful initiatives, including the adoption of the OC2040 Comprehensive Plan, code updates for middle housing and emergency shelters, and the implementation of Climate-Friendly and Equitable Communities standards. She also played a key role in revising development codes, facilitating Development Review Summits, and helping secure a Metro grant to support strategic planning for industrial area development.
 

“I am thrilled to have Aquilla stepping into this important role in Tualatin,” said Sherilyn Lombos, Tualatin City Manager. “In addition to her solid technical expertise, Aquilla is known for her collaborative spirit, dedication to public service, and commitment to community engagement.”
 

The City also extends its sincere thanks to Steve Koper for his leadership and service as Interim Community Development Director during the transition. His dedication and teamwork have been instrumental in maintaining the department’s high standards of service.
 

For more information about the City of Tualatin, visit www.tualatinoregon.gov.

 

 

 

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