This summer local wading pools may once again be closed for the season, or for a few days each week, to make up for the budget shortfall. To keep the pools open, Seattle Parks and Recreation is looking for “partners” to help fund them.
As of right now, of the 25 wading pools in the city, ten will close because of budget problems, including three that are being converted to water spray parks like at Ballard Commons, five wading pools open seven days a week and another ten open three days a week.
Parks hopes to expand the schedule to increase family recreational opportunities in a way that is economically and geographically equitable. Some communities may be more organized or have different access to funding sources, so Parks would pair wading pools as a way to ensure balanced and equal recreational opportunities across our city. Under this partnership, Parks would keep the wading pool open one additional day each week in the neighborhood from which the funds came, and Parks would select a second site that the contribution would fund as well.
Opportunities include:
· Sponsoring two wading pools one day per week through the summer at a cost of $8,800
· Sponsoring two wading pools for three days per week during the last two weeks of summer at a cost of $6,600
· Sponsoring a one day wading pool operation for a special event at a cost of $650
· Receiving recognition on the Seattle Parks and Recreation website
· Sponsoring an unfunded wading pool three days per week through the summer
For more information, or for organizations interested in a partnership with Parks and Recreation to provide more access to wading pools this summer, please contact Bill Dougherty, 206-684-7185, bill.dougherty@seattle.gov, or Kathy Whitman, 206-684-7099, kathy.whitman@seattle.gov, no later than May 1, 2011.
Last summer the Soundview wading pool (1590 NW 90th St) was open three days a week and the Gilman pool was closed all season. The spray park at Ballard Commons Park (5701 22nd Ave NW) was open seven days a week.