Fire harms the Morrill Meadows Park Playground in Kent

The director of the city of Kent Parks, Julie Parascondola, was not sure what she would find when she drove to the Morrill Meadows Park in the early morning.

“On my trip there, my first thought was that we may have lost the entire game structure,” said Parascondola in an e -mail on March 8 on March 8 on March 8.

The parking department had completed a renovation of $ 1.59 million in the park in May 2024. The 21 hectare park is located in the 10600 SE 248th St. next to the Kent Ymca on the East Hill.

A Kent police officer who drove along the SE 248th Street discovered the fire in the middle of the night. PUGET SOUND FIRE FIRE deleted the fire in about 10 minutes and limited the damage.

The fire was contained in a certain area – one of the main slide elements, part of the surrounding playground area and some of the neighboring structural components were damaged, said Parascondola.

“We built this playground to be accessible and inviting every child in our community,” said Parascondola. “It is particularly discouraging to see something for inclusiveness and joy.”

The renovation included an extended playground with improved ADA access with the installation of a barrier-free, integrative play area, which was developed especially for children of all physical skills. Other upgrades were new swings, a brand new natural play area, updated parking facilities, improved lawns and a permanent stage.

“Parks are holy rooms in a community – they are where childhood happens,” said Parascondola. “To deliberately damage a place that was designed for joy, imagination and belonging – it is more than vandalism, it is a betrayal of what we all work so hard for Kent families.

“Seeing one of these damage that goes beyond bolts and slides will never stop fighting for these rooms, and we have decided to keep them safe, inviting and full of life – for every child and family in Kent.”

Parascondola estimated the cost of repairing or replacing the damaged playground components between 40,000 and 50,000 US dollars.

“We turned to our playground manufacturer and our designer to assess the components and quickly work on putting materials in order,” she said. “If everything goes well, it is our goal to have completed the replacement until early summer.”

The investigation continues how the fire started, which might have included the use of an acceleration agent.

“We have heard the same first reports that an acceleration agent may have involved, but that is still being checked by fire investigators,” said Parascondola. “The Kent Police Department is further investigating the matter, but no clues have been confirmed.”

Parks Crews later secured the area in the morning of fire with additional fences and security measures. The rest of the park remains open.

“We were all encouraged to see how families later enjoy the untouched parts of the playground later on the same day. It is a very used common room,” said Parascondola.

Fire damaged a new playground at Morrill Meadows Park in Kent. Commercial photo, city of Kent Parks