Redmond, Ore. — Armed with Tonka trucks and kid-sized shovels, a group of young “construction workers” helped break ground Sunday on an expansion project designed to support unhoused families in Central Oregon.

The project, spearheaded by Mountain View Community Development, will add a playground, four microshelters, a pergola, and landscaped areas to the Mountain View Fellowship Safe Parking site. Since its launch in 2021, the program has provided a safe, stable place for families living in vehicles, with 75 children having stayed at the site over the past two years.

Sunday’s event featured speeches from local leaders, bounce houses, and hot dogs. However, the highlight was the sight of children digging in the dirt, symbolizing the community’s investment in the project’s future.

“It’s exciting to see families move on to housing, but while they are with us, we want them to have a safe place to live and play,” said Rick Russell, executive director of Mountain View Community Development.

The expansion is funded by the Central Oregon Health Council, whose director of community strategy, Gwen Jones, praised the collaborative effort behind the project.

“This is an excellent example of collaboration, partnership and working within each other’s strengths and limitations to do something bigger and better for the health of our neighbors and the well-being of our community,” Jones said.

The new amenities aim to provide families experiencing homelessness not only shelter but also a sense of normalcy and community connection, with safe spaces for children to play and grow.