WASHINGTON PARK SPRAY PLAY

Spray Play Made a Splash at Washington Park!

On July 14, 2011 Eugene Mayor Kitty Piercy, the Slug Queens and hundreds of kids counted down and the water turned on for the “inaugural splash” at the Washington Park Spray Play. More than 800 people from throughout the community visited the park over the course of the evening to play in the water, enjoy a free hot dog BBQ and ice cream, and play games in celebration of Eugene’s newest and largest water play area.

The event marked the culmination of two years of planning, fundraising and construction on the project by the Eugene Parks Foundation, the City of Eugene, and many dedicated volunteers. Changes in state health regulations in 2009 prompted the permanent closure of Washington Park’s wading pool. The Eugene Parks Foundation stepped up to help convert the empty concrete space into a thriving recreational area for children and families once again. More than 250 donors helped raise nearly $150,000 in cash and in-kind materials and services, effectively leveraging the $110,000 of seed money provided by the City to truly make a splash.

Washington Park Spray Play was a model of community collaboration from fundraising to volunteer elbow grease to the unique design. Area neighbors helped conceive a river theme that creates a flowing space filled with natural elements, textured concrete and oval designs. Benches, a dry river bed, decorative seating walls, inscribed natural boulders, custom pathway art tiles and shade trees complete the area making it an inviting place to spend the day. Two play areas with six to eight spray features each are activated by the touch a button, starting a playful cycle of theatrical and unexpected sprays.