Yelm Splash Pad and Playground Create Destination in the Heart of Community
The Rhythmic soundwaves of Jazz wasn’t the only excitement to splash down at the Yelm City Park last Friday as water shot out of the Splash Pad for the first time for public use just after 2 p.m., just hours before the annual Jazz in the Park Festival. Since then, the park has quickly become the most popular family attraction in the community.
“Turning this park into a destination for our local families is one of the greatest achievements that has come out of this administration,” Mayor JW Foster said. “Our team worked tirelessly to get this park open for the summer season and nothing makes us happier than seeing families enjoy this public resource.”
Hundreds of Yelm-area kids have already slid down the slides, run through the water rings, and shot the water cannons, while parents land their picnic basket on the green grass or on one of the many new tables throughout the park.
The splash pad is open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The playground and splash pad were funded in part by a $305,019 Community Development Block Grant, a $239,590 State Capital Budget Grant, and $460,750 coming from local funds.
After the concept was approved by Council, the City was able to find contributions through other funding sources and save on other capital improvement projects to make the park the best that it can be with the funding available.
Local funding sources include the Municipal Building Fund, Street Capital Fund, Water Capital Fund as the water recirculating system is owned and operated by the water utility, and the Sewer Utility Fund due to the backwash tank and filtration system being owned and operated by the sewer utility. All funding for these projects were made from the 2018 and 2019-2020 capital budgets, approved by Yelm City Council.
“As the project went along, we saw great opportunities to augment the park,” Foster said. “Our Public Works Director and Project Manager were excellent in finding contributions to the project through other funding sources in our budget, by saving on other projects, and reprioritizing others to make this park an asset now and for future generations “
The Projected Project Budget Breakdown is available for review.
Media Contact:
Andrew Kollar
andrewk@yelmwa.gov
360-458-8420
