The windsock at Workman Field had survived years of brutal seasons. Over the decades, howling winter winds and blistering summer sun had slowly baked its bright orange fabric into sad, faded ribbons. It had whipped utility in the breeze for so long that it was finally, completely done. That was when the neighborhood stepped in.
On Sunday afternoon, a crew of local hands finally assembled at the edge of the runway to tackle the long-overdue project. They had borrowed Lee Cundiff’s heavy-duty tractor since he was out of town, so Jeff was the one operating it. The tractor’s engine rumbled to life as Jeff positioned it near the base of the structure.
As the pictures below illustrate, this was no trivial undertaking. Bruce Harding and Brian Hickman yanked out a thick set of industrial chains, and Jeff climbed the ladder to help attach one of them. Working fast, they wrapped the heavy links securely around the middle of the pole, anchoring the other end tightly to Lee’s tractor. Dwight Smith stood back as the ground guide, mapping the trajectory of the descent so nothing got crushed.
The new HOA sign has now been installed following the completion of the new posts and the flower box beneath it—thanks to the group of volunteers who handled this project, as mentioned in an earlier update.
Pump House #2 is also looking great thanks to Workman’s Airpark resident Jon Brown of J & L Home Renewal, who generously completed the refurbishment as a neighbor helping the HOA. The south and east walls were in poor condition and required new siding. John also removed and reinstalled the antenna, added new inspection access panels, treated all exterior walls and the roof, installed new doors, and finished everything with fresh primer and paint.
The result is a much-improved, clean, and well-maintained pump house that benefits the entire community.
New HOA sign now installedThe siding was in poor condition and way past it’s primeA worker conducting a roof inspection to confirm its conditionThe installation of the new fasteners received careful, detailed attention.Jon with the new access panels now allows inspection without the removal of the entire wallJon stands beside the newly restored pump house, now finished with fresh primer and paint.
The sign posts are officially in the ground at Workman’s Airpark—and what a show it was! Huge thanks go to Randy Zapp, who not only sourced the auger but also proved he can handle a tractor like a pro. Sharon Johnson brought her machine to the party, showing off its talents by steadying the auger, shuffling plywood, and even hauling gravel like it was popcorn.
Meanwhile, Jeff Wright, Dwight Smith, Daily Holman, Brian Hickman, and Bruce Harding turned teamwork into an art form—mixing muscle, brainpower, and pure determination to wrestle those signposts into place.
It was equal parts construction project and airpark spectacle. Click here to see the crew in action—you won’t want to miss it!
Thank Randy Zapp for sourcing the auger and for his tractor handling skills. Jeff Wright, Dwight Smith, Daily Holman, Brian Hickman, and Bruce Harding added muscles, brains, and brawn.Sharon Johnson showed off her machine’s capabilities by steadying the augerSharon Johnson carefully maneuvering the sign support.It took some wrestling, a little persuasion, and maybe a few new vocabulary words, but Jeff and Bruce finally coaxed the signpost into the hole.”There it is—standing tall and looking good! Though our new friend “Workman” clearly needs a crash course in font design. Stay tuned for upgrades.
Summer is coming to a close, and you may be experiencing intermittent low water pressure. Our pump is working hard to keep up with irrigation and the demands of 24 homes. The aquifer is at its lowest level, so fluctuations in pressure are normal this time of year.
If you’ve driven down Gribble Road in recent years, you know it has carried the scars of time, weather, and countless patchwork repairs. For decades, potholes have been the hallmark of this stretch—patched here and there as best as possible, but never with a lasting solution. Many of us have memories of bouncing over rough spots, or of temporary fixes that seemed to crumble away almost as soon as they were laid.
That chapter has now closed. Thanks to the persistence of the Workman’s Airpark HOA and strong cooperation with Clackamas County, Gribble Road has finally received a full repaving—one that promises both durability and a smoother driving experience for everyone.
How It Was Done
Traffic was temporarily stopped to give the paving crew full access to Gribble Road during resurfacing.
The repaving project was carefully planned and executed in two passes, one in each direction. Before the asphalt was applied, the entire roadway surface was thoroughly cleaned with wire brush machines to remove debris and create a sound base. Next, a thin layer of oily tar (tack coat) was applied to help the new asphalt adhere securely to the existing roadway.
Paving crew and equipment laying down a fresh layer of asphalt on Gribble Road.
A Road That Should Last
Once prepared, a thick layer of fresh asphalt was laid down. Large industrial rollers followed close behind, compacting and smoothing the surface to create an even, durable finish. Equally important, existing driveways along the road were carefully blended into the new pavement, eliminating sharp edges and creating a seamless transition between private access points and the main road.
A heavy roller compacts and smooths the new asphalt, ensuring a durable, even roadway surface.
Unlike the patch jobs of the past, this was a true rebuild effort. With the tar bonding layer, heavier asphalt, professional compaction, and proper surface prep, the new roadway should provide many years of service before requiring significant maintenance. While no road lasts forever, residents and county officials estimate this paving project will hold up for decades with normal upkeep.
The newly repaved Gribble Road—once filled with potholes—now offers drivers a smooth, comfortable ride.
A Community Success
This project is the direct result of the HOA’s involvement and determination. By working closely with Clackamas County and keeping attention on the issue, the HOA helped turn years of frustration into a long-term improvement for everyone who lives, works, and visits along Gribble Road.
Now, instead of dodging potholes, drivers can enjoy a smooth and safe approach to our airpark—an upgrade that benefits the entire community…
Interested in speed humps on Gribble Road? Clackamas County has a specific process to get them installed. You’ll find the details below. The HOA will not be paying for the humps, so volunteers will need to head up this project.
Brian Hickman with the all-new RV15, click on picture for the video, curtesy of AOPA and AirVenture
Our neighbor, Brian Hickman of Van’s Aircraft, proudly presents the all-new RV-15 at this year’s AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin—aviation’s biggest stage. Catch a glimpse of innovation in flight, as featured by AOPA and AirVenture.
Workman's Airpark Home Owners Association 