SEQUIM — A Sasquatch, a kaleidoscope and a classic board game were the top themes chosen for potential playground redesigns in Sequim parks.
More than 1,000 people, including hundreds of children, voted on designs proposed for Carrie Blake Community Park, Margaret Kirner Park and Dr. Standard Little League Park.
An online community survey featuring three design options for each park by RMM Designs Group were posted for voting through Sept. 30. The League of Women Voters of Clallam County led voting options for area students and families in recent months, too.
Sequim city staff reported to the City Council on Oct. 23 that 986 individuals responded online, while Bonnie Bless-Boenish with the League reported 698 families and children responded at various events and in classrooms.
She said the League liked that the public was voting on something that could become a reality following citizens’ votes.
Sequim parks manager Hannah Merrill said it was exciting to have input from schools.
Of the city’s responses, Merrill said of those who shared their age, most respondents were ages 25-44 and live in the Sequim area. Of those surveyed, she said the choices were fairly consistent between city and League voting.
For Carrie Blake Community Park, its results had the closest polling with “Kaleidoscope” taking in about 43 percent, or 426 votes, compared to “Sunshine,” at about 32 percent.
Eleven Helen Haller Elementary classrooms were polled and voted about 62 percent for “Kaleidoscope.” Its design offers a range of experiences with outdoor musical instruments and play structure rocks to climb.
City staff report its estimated cost in three years adjusted for inflation and construction would be about $2.8 million.
For Margaret Kirner Park, surveyors chose “Chutes & Ladders,” which features several ladders and slides. About 57.4 percent, or 566 voters, selected it in the city survey.
Students at the Boys & Girls Club and a few classrooms at Olympic Peninsula Academy chose “Chutes and Ladders,” with about 47.5 percent.
Its cost in three years is estimated to be about $1.3 million.
The overwhelming choice among the park designs was at Dr. Standard Little League Park, with voters preferring “Forest Creature” — a design that incorporates a large Sasquatch structure connected to a net climbing structure, spinner and a seesaw.
Voters opted for it at about 75 percent, or 746 votes, while families at the Back to School Fair voted about 67 percent in favor of it. The other two options had baseball themes.
The projected “Forest Creature” budget in three years is about $719,000.
Feedback
Along with the votes, the city received 200-plus comments during the survey with Merrill saying there were 50-plus mentions of a splash pad, which was not included in any of the designs. There were also comments about increased accessibility for all ages.
In July, city staff said they’d seek more inclusive and universally accessible equipment at the parks.
Asked about splash pads and potential hindrances, Merrill said splash pads are preferred by risk pools over full-sized pools, and any potential pad would likely require some maintenance. She said she was uncertain if the city would consider incorporating a splash pad into one of the designs.
Council members Kathy Downer and Vicki Lowe said they felt a splash pad would be used here.
“My kids and grandkids would go into a splash pad any day of the year,” Lowe said. “I think it’s a great idea.”
City Manager Matt Huish said about the projects that he often hears from residents how “(the city needs) to build a city for young people.”
Next steps
City council members unanimously voted on Oct. 23 to direct staff to seek to finalize park playground designs and pursue funding options. In their report to city council on Oct. 23, city staff wrote they’ll “need to aggressively pursue outside funding to accomplish the projects.”
“Playground site work, surfacing, landscape and irrigation, equipment, and installation is costly and outpaces the current projected costs,” they wrote. “Without grant funding, the City is unable to execute these projects.”
Prior to the updated park construction estimates, the city’s Capital Improvement Program contained $450,000 with both city and grant funding annually from 2025 to 2027 to fund park projects.
Merrill said in July city staff would seek funding resources in 2024 with a tentative turnaround for the following year. The proposed plans and cost estimates will help the city with grant applications, she said.
For more about the proposed park redesign projects, visit sequimwa.gov.
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Matthew Nash is a reporter with the Olympic Peninsula News Group, which is composed of Sound Publishing newspapers Peninsula Daily News, Sequim Gazette and Forks Forum. Reach him at matthew.nash@sequimgazette.com.
