Donors to be honored at Marine Park ceremony

By Stefanie Donahue

Nearly one year after the opening of the Marine Park playground, city staff are preparing to host a ceremony to honor the many community donors who helped make it happen.

The Marine Park playground features bronze plaques emblazoned with names of local donors. Photo by Stefanie Donahue.

The End of Summer Celebration will take place on Saturday, September 24 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Blaine Marine Park Playground. The event will feature a brief rededication ceremony, live music and food vendors.

“We just want to have another end of summer celebration,” said Blaine community planner Alex Wenger. “It has been such a success for our whole community.”

The nautical-themed playground on Marine Drive made its public debut in late October last year. Since then, it has been a huge hit for children and families and acts as a prime location for community events, such as Drayton Harbor Days.

In total, the construction of the playground cost nearly $450,000. Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 (BBBPRD) committed $200,000, the city of Blaine granted almost $160,000 and private donors raised $83,000, Wenger said.

Now, a series of sea-themed bronze plaques sit fixed onto a teal walkway bordering part of the park – each piece recognizes a donation from $250 to $10,000.

To supplement the rededication ceremony, city staff have organized a beer garden and food stand, featuring hot dogs supplied by BBBPRD, ice cream from Sugar Shack and more. Proceeds from the hot dog lunch will benefit the park district’s after-school program at the Birch Bay Activity Center.