ARLINGTON — The local Rotary Club sold a record number of tickets to its annual Great Stilly Duck Dash last weekend, which raised money for local charities and a planned city spray park.
The Fourth of July tradition pits hundreds of rubber ducks against each other in a race down a stretch of the Stillaguamish River. Participants buy tickets to get a duck in the race. The top 10 winners get $1,000 each, and those who rank 11 through 20 get $100.
This year, the club sold 17,372 tickets, beating the record of 16,352 tickets sold last year. Ticket sales netted $71,625, local sponsors donated another $90,650, and the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians gave a $50,000 matching donation since the club raised more than that in other Duck Dash donations.
Altogether, the event brought in $212,275 this year, the most money raised since the annual event started 27 years ago.
“All of the money raised from the Duck Dash goes back into the community,” Rotary spokeswoman A.J. Chase said.
At least $100,000 of this year’s total is earmarked for a splash pad at Haller Park. The Rotary’s board of directors will decide what to do with the remaining proceeds. The club gives to food banks, Cocoon House, Arlington Kids’ Kloset and other charities every year, and additional money may be directed toward the splash pad after those donations are made, Chase said.
The city has been working on plans for the spray park and recently picked out a design and equipment. The splash pad would include playful plumbing pieces with names like sneaky soaker, bubble-trouble and funbrella.
“I think people are excited about the splash pad,” Chase said. “It’s been a hot summer, so that really sells it.”
Haller Park, on West Avenue along the Stillaguamish River in downtown Arlington, has had problems with vandalism, drug use, loitering and flooding. The city is working with local organizations like the Rotary Club to update the park and make it a safer, more welcoming place. The Rotary already has paid for a new playground and the city plans to build new restrooms, picnic areas, an outdoor stage and a new boat launch on the river. A parking lot recently was finished nearby, and better lighting and security cameras are being added around the park.
The soonest the spray park could be built likely is 2017, according to the city. Officials estimate it would cost $350,000 to $450,000.
The Arlington Rotary Club plans to continue raising funds for the project, Chase said.
“People can see the changes going on at Haller Park,” she said.
Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com
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