Kettle Falls Parks Undergo Updates With Community Engagement

Improvements are taking shape around Kettle Falls parks this spring and summer, and city leaders say the projects are intended to create safer, more welcoming spaces for residents and visitors. At Happy Dell Park, construction is underway to install new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations near the information center. The project, completed in partnership with Avista, will provide three charging stations for travelers and local residents who need a place to charge their vehicles. Mayor Jesse Garrett said the location was chosen to encourage visitors to stop, explore local businesses, and learn more about the community while charging their vehicles. “We wanted it to be somewhere easy to access where people can also enjoy what Kettle Falls has to offer,” Garrett said. The EV station project has been in the planning stages since last year, with construction beginning last month and completion expected within the next few weeks, he said. Near the Kettle Falls swimming pool, the playground equipment was removed after becoming worn out and difficult to repair, according to Garrett. In its place, he said, city crews have installed a new playground structure designed with both safety and fun in mind. The new setup, which Garrett said resembles a McDonaldland-style playgrounds that some may remember from childhood, is expected to be finished in time for the city’s annual Town and Country Days event, scheduled this year for June 5-7. The splash park area adjacent to the new playground structure is also getting a fresh, new look thanks to the efforts of the Kettle Falls Rotary Club and several community volunteers during Rotary International’s EPIC Day of Service. Garrett said volunteers spent days cleaning, repainting benches and splash park features, refreshing landscaping, and spreading new playground chips around the swing set area. Local painter Michael Stokes donated his professional painting services to help complete the project, while Kettle Falls True Value donated paint and supplies that helped make many of the upgrades possible. “This summer, families are going to see a much more refreshed park area,” Garrett said. “There’s been a lot of teamwork behind these projects.” Beyond the parks themselves, volunteers with the city’s beautification committee have continued working to improve the appearance of downtown Kettle Falls. According to the mayor, new flowers, planters, and landscaping projects are helping brighten medians and intersections throughout town, including a new welcome display near the youth center. Garrett said one of the most rewarding parts of these projects has been seeing the community come together. “The volunteers in this community are incredible,” he said. “So many people are stepping up to help improve Kettle Falls.” Many of the projects have stayed within the city’s existing parks budget, while others have been supported through donations, fundraising, discounted materials, and volunteer labor, he added. Community response has already been overwhelmingly positive, especially from children eager to try out the new playground once it opens, according to Garrett. Looking ahead, he said the city is also exploring future improvements at Happy Dell Park, including a possible dog park and paved walking paths to make the area more accessible for everyone.