As the Stanley Community Association (SCA) hosted the Stanley Chamber of Commerce’s Coffee and Commerce event at the Community Center on April 4, they unveiled the designs for the new splashpad and playground that they are working to bring to Chapman Park and shared their plans to make the dream a reality.
Kristi Weiland, SCA President, described how the initial plans for the splashpad began. “My husband, Lance, and I started the SCA because we thought it would just be nice to have a splash pad in Stanley. The more involved I have gotten in the community over the last three years of working on many SCA projects, the more I realize just how beneficial this whole inclusive play space would be for Stanley.”
Weiland pointed out that one benefit of the project is making Chapman Park available to all. “The current playground at Chapman Park is not accessible for people who use mobility devices, but this play space would be. Not just the kids who use those devices will benefit but also the adults who use those devices and want to be able to play with their kids.”
Weiland reassures residents that the splashpad will not increase water bill costs. “The splash pad is recirculating and uses no more water than an above ground pool. It will be gifted to the city, but the SCA will be covering costs of running it, except for the city workers time checking the chemical levels.”
Since this would be the only splashpad within thirty minutes of Stanley, Weiland stated that would be a great way to increase business activity and showcase what Stanley has to offer.
“There are a lot of great projects in the works in Stanley right now that will keep Stanley a place people want to work, play, and live. This project is one of them,” she commented.
The SCA is currently looking for monetary donations to fund the large project. “People can go to our website, stanleycommunity.us to see the different donor levels to get on our donor board. In the future, there will also be an option to purchase a bench or brick to leave your family’s legacy or honor a loved one,” said Weiland.
Explaining that the project will need approximately $1 million dollars to cover everything, she mentioned that the start date for project construction will depend on how fast they can obtain grants and when donations come in. “If we get enough this year we could start as early as next spring. We would be able to install either the splash pad or the playground first and finish the other half later, if that is how it works out with funding.”
While monetary donations are needed, Weiland mentioned that the SCA will be grateful for any help for the project. “We are looking for in kind donations such as concrete work, a contractor to run the project and build a pump house for the splash pad equipment, electrical work, plumbing, excavating, fencing, signs, benches, etc.”
On May 8, the SCA will be hosting a Brat Fry at Hansen’s IGA beginning at 9 AM. City Wide Thrift Sales will also be held on May 30 and 31 with a large community thrift sale hosted by the SCA at the Stanley Community Center.
Donations for the splashpad and new playground can be mailed to SCA, PO Box 11, Stanley or to Venmo @sca54768. Anyone interested in learning more about naming rights, monetary donations, or in kind donations can contact the SCA at sca54768@gmail.com for more information.
