A new playground is on the agenda
By Michael on Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
WALLA WALLA — The Walla Walla City Council meets tonight (Wednesday) at 6:30 p.m. and is expected to authorize a construction contract with Allplay Systems for the Eastgate Lions Park playground in the amount of $244,783.60. The current playground has deteriorated and is in need of replacement.
Walla Walla Parks and Recreation Director Andy Coleman said the structure is 22 years old and staff is no longer able to obtain replacement parts. The useful life of a playground is typically 20 years. The park will see many young families move into the neighborhood when the apartment complex, adjacent to it is completed at the site of the former Kmart building. It is anticipated this project will be completed by July 2022.
Also on the agenda, the council will accept a $50,000 grant from the Walla Walla County Department of Community Health to go towards the expansion of the community paramedic program established by the Walla Walla Fire Department.
The goal of the community paramedic program is to reduce frequent utilization of the 911 system as well as frequent utilization of the emergency department at Providence St. Mary Medical Center. The intent of the program is to get to the root cause or underlying issue that in most cases do not require an ambulance or a trip to the hospital. The program has proven to be extremely successful and WWFD is now looking at expanding the program.
The council is also expected to accept an Association of Washington Cities grant in the amount of $157,782 to support two youth recreation programs to be conducted this summer by the Walla Walla Parks and Recreation Department. The programs are a bicycle rodeo and a swim, play and discovery camp.
Members of the public may attend the regular meeting. A live stream of the meeting may also be viewed on the city’s website or via Zoom. The meeting ID number is 830 0163 4930.