ARLINGTON – The Stillaguamish Tribe is donating $500,000 to help build a splash pad at Haller Park.
Mayor Barbara Tolbert said: “This is just another example of how the community in Arlington and the Stilly Valley is so special. Rotary initially brought the project forward, and before long many businesses and residents stepped up to invest their time, talents and funds to make the renovation a reality.
“Now the Stillaguamish Tribe is partnering in a big way to help possibly leverage state grant funds, and something truly amazing is going to be built.”
The city is partnering with the Rotary of Arlington to maximize the donations it has received by applying for a state recreation grant that would match funds dollar-for-dollar up to $500,000.
The city will receive a response on the recreation grant in October. The goal is to break ground in July 2017, after the Fourth of July celebration.
The planning for the splash pad began in 2013 when the Duck Dash – the annual fundraiser by the Rotary held on the Fourth of July – was dedicated to building the adventure playground at Haller Park. Rotarians heard from several community members that they wanted a splash pad.
After the playground was completed, the Rotary committed its 2015 Duck Dash to begin fundraising for pad.
“We knew when we took this project on a few years that it was going to be a big one, but our club was dedicated to seeing it through,” said Bryce Duskin, project lead for the Rotary. “Initially we thought it would be around $350,000 to build just a splash pad with a few basic features. As the project has developed, and with collaboration from the city, we’re getting close to being able to build an amazing splash pad with fun features for our kids and community to use.”
In 2015 the tribe matched $50,000 raised from Duck Dash ticket sales.
Additional donations from Friends of the Park have brought in $7,000. Rotary plans to raise additional funds through ticket sales, sponsorships and Friends of the Park campaign.
“We’re excited to expand on the playground project at Haller Park,” said Linda Byrnes, Rotarian and fundraising lead for the splash pad.
“Rotary loves Haller Park, it has been our home for Duck Dash for almost thirty years. We want to provide a fun and safe experience for kids and community members to stay cool safely on hot summer days in this wonderful park nestled beside our beautiful Stillaguamish River.”
