 Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle will cut the ribbon on the City’s newest playground at Esther Short Park (605 Esther Street) during a community celebration at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 29.Â
The original playground equipment was installed in 1998. Plans were already underway to replace the aging equipment when it was destroyed by a fire in January 2022. The City and its contractors expedited the project to ensure the playground would be ready to welcome the community back for the busy spring and summer seasons.Â
The new fully inclusive play equipment was designed with assistance from Harper’s Playground, a non-profit that creates inviting playgrounds for people of all abilities. The City of Vancouver also worked with AKS Engineering and Forestry and Pence Construction to complete the playground.Â
Everyone who attends the celebration can receive a free raffle ticket for a chance to win local products from the Vancouver Farmers Market.
New Playground Design Highlights
- Double Slide and Play Hill
- Boulder Scramble
- Climbing Dome
- Zero Entry Merry Go All
- Swings
- Roxall See Saw
- Music Garden
- Increased Seating
- Additional trees and landscaping
- Decorative elements that reference the park’s original Victorian design
About Esther Short Park
Esther Short Park is a 5-acre gem in the heart of downtown and the oldest public square in the state of Washington. The bustling park is consistently rated the No. 1 place to visit in Vancouver by Trip Advisor for its beautiful surroundings, historic Victorian character, seasonal water feature, special events and proximity to the Vancouver Farmers Market. Since acquiring the park in 1853, the City has invested in transformative features that have become a catalyst for economic development in downtown Vancouver.
