City of Tumwater closes portion of Pioneer Park playground for safety

Tumwater, WA –The Tumwater Parks and Recreation Department has announced the temporary removal of the main play structure in the playground at Pioneer Park, located at 5801 Henderson Blvd SE, due to safety concerns. While the main structure in the playground has been removed, the swings will remain as well as the “monkey bars” section on the opposite end. 

Parks & Recreation Department staff are Certified Playground Safety Inspectors and inspect all city playground equipment weekly. The structures at Pioneer Park are over 25 years old so staff have been closely monitoring them for many years. In early July, staff determined that a portion of the structure no longer meets the city’s rigorous safety standards. According to Parks Manager Matt Patton, “Posts were rotting, deck boards were beginning to come loose, and the overall stability was lost. Rust on railings and other areas caused a safety concern as well.” Parks staff are unable to repair the play structures in-house as they require specialized replacement parts from the manufacturer. Due to the age of the structure, these parts are no longer available.

Parks & Recreation Department Marketing Specialist, Marisa Worden, stated “We understand that Pioneer Park is an extremely popular spot for families, especially in the summer, and that this removal presents a real inconvenience. However, the safety of our community members, especially children, is our top priority. We appreciate the public’s understanding as we work on a plan for the play structure’s replacement.”

Tumwater Parks & Recreation encourages residents to visit other nearby playgrounds and parks during this time. A list of alternative playground locations can be found on the City of Tumwater website: https://www.ci.tumwater.wa.us/departments/parks-recreation-department/parks-trails. 

For additional information, please contact staff at tumwaterparks@ci.tumwater.wa.us or call 360-754-4160.