City of Chehalis
“Kiddy Spray Park”
Project Statement
A “Kiddy Spray Park,” built to replace the city’s no longer useable, antiquated “kiddy
pool,” was the outcome of a private/public partnership between the city of Chehalis and
the Chehalis Foundation. The Chehalis Foundation, a non-profit organization created to
help the city with projects and programs, raised $118,000 in private donations and the
new “Kiddy Spray Park” opened in June 2007 at the city’s Recreation Park.
Project Summary
In 2002, the Chehalis City Council approved the formation of a 501 (c) (3) non-profit
operating foundation called The Chehalis Foundation. The foundation was formed to
support city projects and programs, provide opportunities to apply for grants, and to
establish an endowment fund as a means through which people could make tax-free
contributions to such things as the swimming pool, park renovation projects, downtown
revitalization, or other special city projects and programs.
The Chehalis Foundation functions exclusively to support the city through the
construction or maintenance of public buildings, monuments, or the realization of
projects and programs, which support its cultural and charitable pursuits and the
lessening of the burdens of the city.
The foundation’s first major project was the renovation of the city’s much loved Robert
E. Lintott/Alexander Park, which reopened in August 2005 after being closed for over a
decade.
A new project is born
In the fall of 2005 the foundation took on its next large project--the replacement of the
children’s wading pool located next to the city’s outdoor swimming pool both built in
1959 and located in the city’s popular Recreation Park. The two pools were tied together
and shared the same filtered, chlorinated water, which created a myriad of problems.
The wading pool was closed forever early in the summer season of 2005 due to a jammed
water recirculation valve. When the valve malfunctioned, city crews decided to shut it
down for fear the outdated valve would break and cause a closure of both pools.
Furthermore, the old kiddy wading pool was antiquated and would have soon been out of
compliance with new State Board of Health regulations.
There were also health concerns about the water circulation. Because the city’s large
outdoor swimming pool and the wading pool were tied to the same water system, they
had to be opened and closed at the same time, which meant that no matter how nice the
weather, the kiddy pool had to be closed when the big pool was closed. The connected
water system caused another major problem that was fixed by the new system. Because
very young children used the kiddy pool (some who were not toilet trained), accidents
happened at least once or twice a week. That meant the water system had to be turned off
quickly to prevent contamination in both pools. Then the kiddy pool had to be drained
and decontaminated before it could be reopened. It was a major health concern.
How They Did It
The foundation took their idea of replacing the children’s old wading pool to the Chehalis
City Council who enthusiastically endorsed the kiddy spray park project. In May of
2006, foundation members held community meetings to seek comments from potential
spray park users (actually their parents) about the preferred features for the facility. The
decision was made to choose something that would only attract the little kids and
toddlers. A final design with 16 spray faucets was chosen. Including benches and a
fence, the total cost of the project was estimated at $118,000.
The goal was to break ground on the spray park in early September of 2006 so it could be
completed by summer of 2007. The firm hired to do the new spray park required half of
the cost in hand before it would order the playground equipment. At that point the
foundation had a total of $35,000 in pledges. To meet the necessary time line, the
foundation sought financial help from the city by requesting a $50,000 loan, which was
needed to place the order. In a unanimous decision, the city council agreed to the loan,
which was eventually paid back with interest.
The city’s public works department took on the responsibility for the demolition and
removal of the old facility, which saved a considerable amount of time and money.
Over 200 individuals, corporations, and businesses donated to the project raising the
necessary funds. Contributions ranged from $1 to $20,000 with donors buying various
elements of the pool. The selling of bricks for the seating area was a popular item as
buyers could have names imprinted on them. Many people bought bricks and had their
children or grandchildren’s names put on them and many people bought more than one
brick.
The Grande Finale
The project created a 2,500 square foot concrete splash park with the 16 spray elements
sized for use by toddlers and pre-school children. Around the splash pad area there is a
concrete and brick wall with seating and park benches where family and friends can
watch the fun activities from a very close proximity.
Beyond the brick wall, a security fence was installed to separate the park area from a very
busy street. The overall outcome was the construction of a secure, safe, sanitary, and fun
place for very young children to play with others their age while enjoying water fun on a
warm day.
A beautiful bronze statute of three little girls playing in water (called Fun in the Sun)
highlights the entrance to the spray park. This was a separate private donation from the
total amount raised for the spray park.
The Kiddy Spray Park opened officially on June 7, 2007 on what happily turned out to be
a sunny, warm, Northwest day and it was an instant success with the young and old alike.
As the children laughed, giggled and delighted in the new water facility, foundation
members, city officials, donors, parents, and grandparents (including Grandpa Chehalis
Mayor Tony Ketchum) watched with pleasure and satisfaction.
Another private-public partnership for which the Chehalis community is so well known
was successfully completed.
…And the rest of the story!
Although the city’s swimming pool doesn’t open until Memorial Day Weekend and
closes Labor Day weekend, because the spray park is now on a separate system, it can be
enjoyed before and after the regular pool season. Just recently on April 12, the first
warm, sunny day we’ve had all spring, the Kiddy Spray Park was turned on and open for
business much to the delight of its users.
Contact
Joanne Schwartz
Economic Development Administrator
360-345-1042