EDMONDS — The first of $1.3 million in improvements to Edmonds’ City Park will take place this weekend with the installation of new playground equipment.
The equipment, including slides, climbing areas and swings, cost $170,000 and will replace the park’s current playground equipment, said Carrie Hite, who directs the city’s parks, recreation and cultural services.
The new 5,000-square-foot play area has been designed for children of various ages, she said. The area for children 2 to 5 years old has exploratory zones with small climbing walls and a small slide. The area for children 6 to 12 years old will have climbing nets and walls, balancing structures and an exploratory area for swinging, pulling and climbing, Hite said.
Volunteers are needed Friday and Saturday to help install the playground equipment. It’s expected to be ready for use by June 28.
The next phase is installation of a water spray area in the 14-acre park. That idea first arose in 1992 when it was included in a master plan, Hite said.
The city previously had a wading pool. It was closed due to a state requirement to have lifeguards in any area with standing water.
“We didn’t have it in the budget,” Hite said. “It was high maintenance and high cost.”
So the city began looking for ways to pay for a spray pad. The state’s Recreation and Conservation Office approved a $500,000 grant, which was matched with city money. Snohomish County provided $80,000 and additional $270,000 came from Seattle’s Hazel Miller Foundation.
The project’s $1.35 million cost includes landscaping, design, wetland mitigation fees and the cost of installing the mechanical system for the spray area, Hite said. With filtration and re-circulation, “It’s like putting in a pool almost,” Hite said.
That work will start in the fall with the installation of underground pipes. In the spring, the surface area will be prepared for opening in May.
The 4,000-square-foot spray area, with room for up to 80 kids, will have many play areas, Hite said. The equipment will be able to pump up to 250 gallons of water a minute.
City Park is Edmonds’ oldest. The original land purchase was in 1908.
Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.
Volunteer
Volunteers are needed to help install playground equipment at Edmonds’ City Park, 600 Third Ave. S. Shifts are scheduled from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Anyone 18 and older can participate.
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