The renovation at Kherson Park will include a replica astronaut and Lunar Rover. COURTESY IMAGE, City of Kent

The renovation at Kherson Park will include a replica astronaut and Lunar Rover. COURTESY IMAGE, City of Kent

Space-themed renovation coming to Kent’s Kherson Park

The $1.62 million project will include a replica Lunar Rover Vehicle

After a delayed liftoff due to COVID-19, a space-themed renovation will be coming soon to a city of Kent downtown park.

The Kent City Council on June 7 unanimously approved an $1.62 million contract to renovate Kherson Park, 317 W. Gowe St., after Lakewood-based Green Tech Excavation submitted the lowest bid among three companies.

“This is going to be a phenomenal project,” Kent City Council President Bill Boyce said.

New children’s play features at the park will capture the imagination and historical ties to the city’s legacy in the aerospace industry, according to city documents. The improvements will include a 40-foot backdrop for the Lunar Rover replica and a replica life-size astronaut; a video projection system; new lighting; and daytime use areas.

The first and only crewed surface transportation system designed to operate on the Moon was designed, tested and built in 1969 by Boeing for NASA in Kent. Commonly known as the Lunar Rover or Moon Buggy, the four-wheeled vehicles were last used during Apollo missions 15, 16 and 17 between 1971-72. Three of the Kent-built Lunar Rovers remain on the Moon today and were designated as King County historic landmarks in 2019 and Washington State Historic Landmarks in 2020.

The park will include a lunar lander structure where children can go inside an imagine they are piloting it. There also will be a mission control area where children can talk to one another, including to those in the play structure.

“We are expecting to start construction in early July and anticipate project completion late fall 2022,” said Terry Jungman, city parks planning and development manager, in an email.

The Kent Downtown Partnership heads a fundraising campaign to help pay for the renovation at the park. The group set a goal of raising $1.2 million.

A city engineer estimated the cost at $950,000 to $1.15 million, according to city documents.

Jungman told the council several reasons contributed to the higher bids that included Snohomish-based A-1 Landscaping and Construction at $1.81 million.

“We have our highest inflation in 31 years,” Jungman said. “The cost of materials is up 15% to 26%. Fuel costs are the highest ever.”

Jungman said other factors included bids during a concrete workers strike, supply chain challenges due to COVID-19, and that the project is at an urban park with no parking for a contractor.

“Market conditions are really driving this one up,” Jungman said.

The bid includes $75,000 to help cover small changes to the project.

Despite the higher costs, Jungman told the council he’s excited about the park renovation.

“It will be a place for kids to learn about Kent’s history of innovation in aerospace and they can imagine themselves in these positions,” Jungman said.

The council in 2019 approved spending $123,615 for a company to build the Lunar Rover replica, although more than $85,000 of that was to be covered by private fundraising efforts.

That contract was with Issaquah-based Northwest Playground Equipment. The company is a local representative of Minnesota-based Cre8Play, a custom park and play environment fabricator that specializes in innovative concepts for play elements. City Parks staff recommended that Cre8Play be the selected vendor to build the replica with the city to purchase it through Northwest Playground Equipment.

“This park will do great things for downtown,” Councilmember Zandria Michaud said.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website http://kowloonland.com.hk/?big=submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

A rendering of the Kherson Park renovation. Work is expected to start in July on the project. COURTESY IMAGE, City of Kent

A rendering of the Kherson Park renovation. Work is expected to start in July on the project. COURTESY IMAGE, City of Kent

A man peeks through the replica astronaut that will be installed at Kherson Park in downtown Kent. COURTESY FILE PHOTO, City of Kent

A man peeks through the replica astronaut that will be installed at Kherson Park in downtown Kent. COURTESY FILE PHOTO, City of Kent

More in News

Courtesy Photo, King County
Prolific tagger faces charges for damage to Kent water tower

Man one of dozens who reportedly tagged properties across King County, including West Hill tower

t
Federal Way man charged in Kent I-5 crash that killed passenger

Documents state that evidence reportedly showed he was the driver, but he blamed the passenger.

The Kent Police Department went all out with their “Moana” themed display - even Maui showed up. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
The Hogwarts Express pulls into Battle of the Badges | Photos

The 2024 Battle of the Badges took over the Renton Technical College on Dec. 14.

Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Police
City of Kent crime numbers drop in 2024 compared to 2023

Vehicle thefts, commercial burglaries and robberies see big decreases

Courtesy Photo, Kent School District
Kent School District says it ‘will do better next time’ with school closures

Late notifications issued about closures after Dec. 18 windstorm

t
Kent Police arrest pair for downtown robbery of pedestrian

Reportedly used pepper spray to attack Kent man, 56, as he walked on sidewalk Dec. 16

Meeker Middle School, one of six schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18 in the Kent School District due to power outages from a windstorm. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Windstorm causes closure of six Kent schools due to power outages

Four elementary, two middle schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18; couple of city roads closed

Volunteers wrap gifts during the 2023 Toys for Joy program. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire
Puget Sound Fire puts out plea for more Toys for Joy donations

Toys needed for children ages 9 to 12; more bikes, scooters requested; deadline is Dec. 20

t
Kent man, 19, faces multiple charges after pursuit near Wenatchee

Driver reportedly fails to stop for state trooper, crashes stolen vehicle along State Route 97

Kent School District Board Director Awale Farah, left, and Superintendent Israel Vela at a high school graduation last summer. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Awale Farah resigns immediately from Kent School Board

Says because of ‘family commitments’ he cannot fulfill rest of his term that expires in November 2025

t
Kent’s Lower Russell Levee project receives John Spellman Award

City, King County Flood District and other partners recognized for historic preservation

Northwood Middle School, 17007 SE 184th St., in unincorporated part of King County in Renton and part of the Kent School District. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Calls about man trying to access Northwood Middle School causes lockdown

Deputies arrest man for investigation of resisting arrest, obstruction at Kent School District property