Whale removed from Hoquiam to make way for new park
During yesterday’s ribbon cutting at the Art Pocklingon Central Play Park, the whale that has sat in the middle of the wading pool for decades was removed to mark the groundbreaking of the upcoming spray park. The property was given to the city in 1924 for use as a park.
Partial funding for the new park was included into the state construction budget, but the City is still accepting donations from the community towards construction.
City Administrator Brian Shay said that this project has been a group effort.
City Planner Alissa Thurman says that the city has already raised over $75 thousand in private donations as well as $198 thousand from the Recreation and Conservation Office. The city hopes to raise an additional $25 thousand to finish the project.
The local carpenter’s union will build a picnic shelter at the park this fall. New fencing and lighting will also be installed at the park by spring. The city hopes to have the spray park constructed by mid-October.
