Splash pad draws crowds; city managing drainage, filtration and concessions planning

City parks staff and commissioners told the Economic Development Commission that the new splash pad, opened June 6, has been heavily used and remains operational while staff address drainage and pump issues. Parks staff member Mike said the system’s nozzles will be removed for winter, pumps sent out for maintenance, and that the pad is connected to stormwater and sewer systems; he added the city plans a seasonal construction closure next spring to address outstanding issues. “the nozzles all get removed and and maintenance the pumps will be removed, sent out to maintenance. Yes. The water's turned off,” Mike said, describing the winter shutdown and maintenance sequence. Commissioners and staff discussed filtration and flushing routines; Mike said the system’s backwash occurs weekly and that staff check the site daily. Commissioner Nicole Pah said users have reported long traffic delays on event days and that the splash pad attracts regional visitors. The commission discussed permitting and rules for concessions in parks. Staff said a current park rule prohibits concessions but that the city is developing a concessions plan for the off season to allow fair, legal and equitable vendor activity during events. Commissioners described several summer events that have increased park demand—an international soccer tournament, Sipfest, music in the park (352 attendees reported), Sturdy Dirty women's biking event, Red, White and Boom fireworks—and cited spillover effects on parking and downtown businesses. Staff reported website traffic for June 1–July 14, with the splash pad page receiving about 7,000 views and the city site drawing about 80,000 total page views in that window; staff said Twin Peaks and Snoqualmie Falls were also top pages. No formal policy change was approved at the meeting; staff were directed to continue engineering work and draft a concessions policy for future review.