Edmonds park spray pad opening planned forAugust

Published 7:55 pm Friday, June 5, 2015

EDMONDS — Construction is under way on a $978,000 spray pad at City Park.

The 5,000-square-foot facility was first proposed by the city in 1992. The spray pad is expected to open at the end of August.

Construction didn’t begin until late May because of a high water table. The park is on low land near the waiting lines for the Edmonds ferry.

Had construction begun in February or March, “our water table would be at its height,” said Carrie Hite, the city parks, recreation and cultural services director. “We just waited until the drier season so we could avoid unanticipated costs.”

The project is part of $1.5 million in improvements at the park, paid for with money from several sources: $500,000 from the state Recreation and Conservation Office, $270,000 from the Hazel Miller Foundation in Edmonds, $80,000 from Snohomish County and $650,000 from the city, Hite said.

It’s the first spray pad in the city. “Kids love spray pads,” she said. “We’re pretty excited about it.”

The site is near a new playground that was opened last summer at the park. The 5,000-square-foot play area cost $170,000. It includes slides, climbing areas and swings, and was designed for children of various ages.

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 has climbing nets and walls, balancing structures and an exploratory area for swinging, pulling and climbing.

The playground is closed during spay pad construction. Construction crews will need to dig out areas for the storm water tank and a tank for the spray pad, Hite said. It would be dangerous to keep the playground open while that construction is being completed, she said.

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.