Jane Clark Wading Pool Scheduled for Removal

The legacy of the traditional wading pool is coming to an end. As these fifty year old pools reach the end of their cycle, Metro Parks has for efficiency and safety reasons transitioned to spraygrounds that are distributed throughout the community .

“With rising challenges meeting health codes, and new technologies now available, we see that spraygrounds make the most sense for the community,” stated Vito Iacobazzi, Parks Trades Manager.

Metro Parks has installed spraygrounds in larger community parks throughout the city to provide free water play through an extended season. There are now 10 spray ground locations: Kandle Park, Jefferson Park, Titlow Park, Franklin Park, Verlo Playfield, Wapato Hills Park, Wright Park, Norpoint Park, South Park and the largest and newest that opened at the SERA Campus this summer. Although they are not in every neighborhood, the distribution provides a balanced system city-wide.

The bids for removal of the Jane Clark wading pool went out August 20, and a decision on the contractor is should be made by September 8. Removal of the pool and site restoration is expected to be completed by the end of October.

Doug Fraser, Chief Planning Manager, shared that when an asset like the aged wading pool is no longer functional, Metro Parks tries to remove it as soon as possible so the area of the park can be repurposed and visually welcoming.

While Jane Clark is not the site for a future sprayground, Metro Parks will work with the neighborhood to determine potential playground, picnic enhancements, or other park improvements following the removal of the pool and as capital improvements in the 2014 bond are scheduled.