Friday, November 7, 2025
Safety concerns have prompted the temporary removal of the main play structure on the playground at Pioneer Park in Tumwater.
The move was made after Parks & Recreation Department staff determined the structure no longer met the safety standards set forth by the City of Tumwater.
The structures at Pioneer Park are more than 25 years old, the City of Tumwater said in announcing the removal of the main play structure on Monday, July 21, and have been closely monitored for a number of years.
But the main play structure was clearly showing its age, in part because it’s popular with children who visit the park.
“Posts were rotting, deck boards were beginning to come loose, and the overall stability was lost,” said Parks & Recreation Department Parks Manager Matt Patton in a statement about the issue. “Rust on railings and other areas caused a safety concern as well.”
The end result was parks staff could not repair the main play structure in-house, primarily because it required specialized replacement parts from the manufacturer that are no longer available.
“We understand that Pioneer Park is an extremely popular spot for families, especially in the summer, and that this removal presents a real inconvenience,” said Parks & Recreation Department Marketing Specialist Marisa Worden in a statement.
“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.”
On the bright side, the monkey bars and swings section remain in place at the other end of the park, which is located at 5801 Henderson Blvd. SE. A list of other playgrounds in Tumwater can be found here.
For more information, call 360-754-4160 or email tumwaterparks@ci.tumwater.wa.us.
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OlyBlues
Amazing that the city of Tumwater Parks Department has money to fund an overpaid marketing specialist but not maintain integral play equipment in our parks. There will be nothing to market when the parks fail. Director Chuck Denney was so distracted coordinating the destruction of the Garry Oak Tree behind the scenes with the Mayor while one of the most popular playgrounds under the Department's care was rotting away. This is the result of total incompetence and laziness by Tumwater Parks staff from the top down. Chuck Denney's time has come to retire and hand the Department over to someone with ethics and who can lead. This is a total failure of leadership at Tumwater Parks. What else in our parks are failing?
Wednesday, July 23 Report this
citizenken
Really OlyBlues? Total incompetence and laziness? You must work for Tumwater Parks Department to make that statement, otherwise you're just another ignorant commenter who gets off sniping from the outside.
Wednesday, July 23 Report this
Ryankrause
OlyBlues, has a right to be upset…
Unfortunately I’ve noticed major incompetence within Tumwater Parks and Recreation Dept.
But a special thanks to the few who work hard to do us a service publicly,
Thank You!
Wednesday, July 23 Report this
DianaM
I am wondering what Chuck Denny’s job description includes since it does not cover maintaining play equipment in our parks. If you recall, Denny tried to amend “the city’s municipal code to apply park rules in all city properties” to allow homeless to camp in our parks after sundown. What are Denny’s priorities?
Thursday, July 24 Report this