Mayor dedicates Webber Court Community Park.

Steilacoom, WA--If Jimmy Ward had his way there would be a gigantic flagpole in a corner of Steilacoom's newest park--Webber Court Community Park. He reasons that "all national parks have flagpoles." He'd also include five restrooms in the park. Charis Davis thinks it should have a water slide Another youngster would fill up every bit of available space with playground equipment.

On June 8, while Steilacoom's future citizens were putting their ideas on paper, about 40 area residents and town staff members spent two hours that evening planting more than 1,500 shrubs, bushes and flowering plants, completing a neighborhood project that began almost two years ago.

This new addition to our community has been made possible because of the initiative of the surrounding residents. It was your idea, your willingness to work with staff on the park design, and your support through the review and approval hearings that has made this project a success. Without your efforts none of this would have been possible," said Mayor Janda Volkmer during the dedication held on June 29.

"It has been a long journey getting to this point... from an open field, to clearing the land, through designs, hearings and construction-we finally made it.

"I'm especially pleased with the sense of pride and the spirit of cooperation in the neighborhood," the mayor continued. "It was great fun to take part in the planting party and be surrounded by people working, visiting and playing--a true demonstration of community."

Webber Court-area neighbors first met with the Park and Recreation Advisory Board in March 1990 to discuss what could be done about turning a vacant lot in their neighborhood into a safer, usable area. They met during the next five months to review design plans, and although the project was slow to gain support, after area citizens expressed an interest, it received the town council's blessing.

Work began that August when about two dozen residents held the first of several work parties, removing rock and debris. Earth moving equipment took over on the site this past November, leveling the ground and gouging out a gulley that would eventually be filled with river rocks. Washington's liquid sunshine put the project on hold from November until late April, but once the weather cooperated the project moved into high gear, and workers installed a basketball court, planted grass and erected a bridge.

The final touch was the planting party. Items planted included 882 English Ivy plants, 490 St. John's Wort, 16 Blue Creeping Phlox, 50 junipers, 50 cotoneasters, three mugo pines, six dianthus, 16 plum bago and 16 English lavendar plants, plus photinia, Douglas fir, acerubrum, vine maple and rhododendrons.

As the last plant was tamped in place on June 8, Public Works service person Lowell Bier (who has taken a personal interest in the park) turned on the sprinklers while weary workers gathered around the refreshment table, admiring their handwork and celebrating the dream that had become a reality.

Balloons and ribbons festooned the park on June 29, the night of the dedication, and once again, the weather cooperated for the event. Although the town has suffered through a two-month drought, long overdue rains that had been failing since the previous evening shut off just in time for the mayor to officially dedicate the park and christen the neighborhood efforts with a bottle of champagne. Rain resumed about an hour later. NOTE: Thepark has not been empty since the process began. Local children have continually been using this new play area, and Webber Court Community Park has already become a favorite spot for many of the town's residents. A colorful, carved redwood sign has been posted at one end of the park, announcing its name.

Nancy Covert

Public Information Officer

Steilacoom, WA