This petition has been created to voice the city of Ellensburg and Kittitas County community members' needs and concerns regarding our existing parks with playgrounds/play structures.

This petition will be presented to the City of Ellensburg Council members, the Mayor, the Parks and Recreation Department, and and Parks and Recreation Commission at the February 20th, 2024 City Council Meeting so please sign today.

With a lack of kid friendly businesses and kid specific activities in Ellensburg, our community has a major issue that needs to be resolved and that is quality, updated, accessible playgrounds for our children and youth. 

The City of Ellensburg has six (6) public parks with play structures. Three of these play structures are, or nearly are, 30 years old having been installed in 1993 and 1995. The other three are older than 10 years old, with the most recent being installed in 2012. 

Our current playgrounds are outdated, not accessible to the disabled, do not inspire educational play and do not encourage multigenerational play.  Only one of the six playgrounds has a set (2) of traditional swings, the remaining swings are infant/bucket style. Despite Ellensburg having pretty amazing weather in the summer, not one playground has sun shades to protect our kids from the sun. The equipment gets too hot and we're back to square one with nothing to do. 

We need a playground that caters to all ages, of all abilities, that's inclusive, safe, fun and inspires all our kids throughout the valley to get outside, learn and explore through play!

Playgrounds enhance social and cognitive development, teach children essential skills like communication and sharing, encourage exploration, imaginative play and learning, all the while fostering friendships and strengthening social connections.

There is no downside to an amazing community park! Here is just a glimpse of what could be: https://youtu.be/GRb1jiP7Gi8?si=aoErFTG0hemAzoU4

Our little town is amazing but it is sad that for how many families live here, there really is nothing for our kids.  Please sign and share this petition, I hope it will make a positive impact on our city officials and inspire them to use our tax dollars to focus on projects geared towards benefitting our children.