Splash pad gets an upgrade

By on Thursday, April 22nd, 2021 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

PENDLETON – The splash pad being installed in Til Taylor Park was supposed to be surfaced with rubber tiles, glued to the ground. Mayor John Turner said that a national glue shortage had a hand in changing that plan. The splash pad will now have a poured rubber surface.

“The cost of pour-in rubber is a little bit more,” Turner said. “It’s about roughly $20,000 more than what we had originally thought,”

The Pendleton Parks and Recreation Department will be asking the Pendleton Development Commission to cover the additional cost.

“I have no idea which way they’re going to vote, but my gut feeling is that the PDC will approve the additional $20,000,” Turner said.

 Turner said he doesn’t believe the change in service will significantly delay the opening of the rebuilt park, which will be in July.

A splash pad isn’t all that’s planned. The Til Taylor 101 Project will include two new playgrounds and a fenced dog park. The Til Taylor statue and memorial wall will remain in place. Eleven trees in the park have been removed, seven of which were categorized as a danger to the public. The other four trees were identified to be of an invasive species. Trees natural to the area will be planted in the park.