Kent city officials and residents recently celebrated the grand reopening of Chestnut Ridge Park on the East Hill after a $585,000 renovation.
The improvements at the neighborhood park included replacement of children’s play equipment, addition of new swing set, public art installation, stone stairs and landscape planting, replacement of site furnishings and replacement of sections of the interior loop path to meet American’s with Disability Act (ADA) standards, said Deputy Parks Director Brian Levenhagen in an email.
“With a newly renovated playground and additional swing set, new public art installation, a reservable shelter, interior loop walking trail and views into the Kent Valley, Chestnut Ridge Park offers a unique neighborhood park experience for nearby residents,” Levenhagen said.
Pierce County-based Key Peninsula Construction submitted the low bid to the city out of eight companies to renovate Chestnut Ridge Park, 9901 S. 203rd St.
“The project was triggered by the need for replacement of aging playground equipment, which had reached the end of its useful life,” Levenhagen said. “As is the case with every project, the team looked for opportunities to expand the recreational value of the park by adding a new swing set and the public art installation. Chestnut Ridge Park is located in East Hill North, which is an area of the city that is parkland deficient so improvements to this park are an important part of better serving the residents who live there.”
Kent Mayor Dana Ralph, Parks Director Julie Parascondola, Levenhagen and City Council members Brenda Fincher, Satwinder Kaur and Zandria Michaud attended the Oct. 25 grand reopening and ribbon cutting at the park.
Local artist Scott Trimble spoke at the reopening about the design process behind his functional art pieces that were installed as part of the renovation. Trimble worked with city Cultural Programs Manager Ronda Billerbeck, the Kent Arts Commission, and the city’s Park Planning & Development team to get public feedback that guided his designs.
First graders from Springbrook Elementary, which is just north of the park, told the mayor what they loved about the park at the reopening and then played on the new equipment.
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Kent Mayor Dana Ralph talks with Springbrook Elementary School students during the grand reopening of Chestnut Ridge Park. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent
