Council will consider park grants, Whitman statue
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, July 12th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – The Walla Walla City Council meets tomorrow night (Wednesday) at 6:30 p.m. and will consider grant applications for two separate park improvement projects, plus consider the arts commission recommendation to relocate the Marcus Whitman statue that is downtown.
City staff has submitted three grant proposals totaling $3.2 million through the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office for the Pioneer Park playground project and Mill Creek Sportsplex improvement projects.
The project at Pioneer Park will expand the current footprint of the playground by 300 percent and would provide a completely inclusive facility. The new playground facility will feature solid surfacing through the site, natural play features, plus native plants, and trees. It will include elements for all ages, including teens and adults.
Improvements to the Mill Creek Sportsplex include adding a roof to each of the six softball field dugouts, adding shade structures over multiple spectator areas, converting the softball field lighting to LEDs, rebuilding aging softball field backstops, and removing and replacing damaged concrete throughout the site.
Council members will also consider the arts commission recommendation to relocate the city-owned Marcus Whitman statue located on Whitman College property at the intersection of East Main Street, North Palouse Street and Boyer Avenue to a site that is preferable to Fort Walla Walla Museum. The resolution being considered Wednesday night directs the arts commission to establish a sub-committee to work with the Fort Walla Walla Museum on the possible relocation and providing historical context.
