The Kirkland Parks Foundation has announced the successful funding of its first project – a new picnic shelter at Waverly Beach Park.
In less than three months the foundation exceeded its fundraising goal, raising $25,040 from Kirkland residents. These funds, along with $50,000 each from both the Rotary Club of Kirkland and the city of Kirkland, will enable a picnic shelter to be included in the upcoming renovation of Waverly Beach Park. Galen Page, of Page & Beard Architects, is the designer for the picnic shelter and ha offered his services on a pro-bono basis.
“We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the funding of our first project,” said Sally Otten, Executive Director of the Kirkland Parks Foundation. “We appreciate their support in making the picnic shelter a reality. We know it will be well utilized by our entire community. We would also like to thank the Rotary Club of Kirkland for inviting us to partner with them on this terrific project.”
Now that sufficient funds have been raised, the picnic shelter will be included in the renovation plan for the park and the contract will be put out for bid this month. Work is scheduled to begin this fall with completion anticipated in the spring 2016.
“We are extremely pleased to add the picnic shelter at Waverly Beach Park to the list of legacy projects we have contributed throughout Kirkland over the past several years,” said Rotary Club of Kirkland President Rich Bergdahl. “We’re looking forward to having our annual picnic there when the facility is completed next year.”
The picnic shelter is part of a larger park improvement plan being done by the City of Kirkland that will replace the playground, add ADA accessibility, improve public access to the park, enhance drainage and improve habitat for fish in Lake Washington.
The picnic shelter will be located at the south end of the park and will offer eight picnic tables that seat 48 people, an ample preparation area and two outdoor grills. There will be a retaining wall for the shelter, enhanced drainage and 150-foot pathway along the shoreline to enhance public access. As with other picnic shelters in Kirkland, the Waverly Beach shelter will be available for reservations for group functions.
With funding for this first project successfully completed, the Kirkland Parks Foundation is now exploring ideas for projects in other neighborhood parks in Kirkland. For more information visit the foundation’s website to suggest projects you believe would enhance Kirkland’s parks or to donate to other ongoing projects.
