The city’s Town Square Park is almost complete.
After a year of construction on the redesign, citizens will be able to enjoy a looping pathway, great lawn, spray park and playground at the new 4-acre park starting July 9.
The $2.1 million park, with $400,000 going toward a stormwater project, will give residents and the Federal Way business community a place to congregate in the summer months.
“It’s going to be a phenomenal park in our downtown,” said John Hutton, the director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services for the city of Federal Way.
Park-goers can park in the 67-stall parking lot or find space at the nearby Transit Center before entering from the east, west, or south sides.
On the northwest side of the park, there will be restrooms with a vegetated roof (part of the stormwater project), a playground and a spray park that features a three-column fountain/art piece with the ability to pump 210 gallons per minute. The columns will differ in size at 12, 10 and 9 feet tall. Several nozzles will surround the columns and shoot water at random.
“I can be authentic in my bias and tell you that I think we have a better park with a spray feature than most of our neighbors that have parks with a spray feature,” Hutton said.
Hutton said the spray park will be programmable so the water can shoot higher at night. The Federal Way Rotary presented the city with a check for $24,050 at a recent City Council meeting, which were funds for the construction and sponsorship of the spray park.
“Our community is so fortunate to have great service groups like the Federal Way Rotary,” Mayor Jim Ferrell said in a news release. “These groups volunteer throughout our city and truly enhance the quality of life of our residents. I would like to thank the Rotarians for their generous contribution to what will be a wonderful addition to our downtown.”
The Rotary will have a permanent plaque at the spray park recognizing their contribution. The playground includes a 66-foot-long zip line that can hold 700 pounds per seat (there are two), two Explorer Domes and a multi-user, multi-directional “Oodle” swing.
On the northeast side of the park are two basketball courts – a small half-court for children and a larger half-court. Across from those is a picnic table shelter that will also have a roof-top garden.
Also part of the stormwater project is a rain garden that will be at the southeast corner of the park. It will act as filtration for Hylebos Creek, the city’s prime salmon-bearing stream.
The Stormwater Low Impact Development Outreach Project project is funded by annually assessed Surface Water Utility user fees and King County Council-approved monies. The park’s southwest corner will feature a designated space for special events like concerts, movies and more. The city’s holiday tree will be there come winter.
The following events are scheduled for Town Square Park:
Movies in the Park will showcase a free viewing of “Pan” at 9 p.m. on July 30 and “Inside Out” at 8 p.m. on Aug. 27.
Two Summer Sounds Concert Series events will be held in August: The Marlin James Band will perform Aug. 17 and Sin City will be featured Aug. 24.
The Tree Lighting ceremony will take place from 4-5 p.m. on Dec. 3 and is free to the public. Hot chocolate, Santa and real reindeer will also make an appearance at the Tree Lighting.
The city expects food trucks to make a regular appearance, and officials confirmed Gogi on the Go for the park’s grand opening, which will be 12-2:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 9. Guests will be greeted with a welcome from the mayor, a ribbon-cutting and the activation of the spray park, as well as performances from the Spazmatics and the Afrodisiacs.
For information and a schedule of events, visit www.cityoffederalway.com.
