Zirkle Path Completed

This is how the southwest side of the pond appeared in the past. Now there is be a new path around the entire perimeter of Reflection Pond.

With the backdrop of hundreds of children in Sarg Hubbard Park for Rivers Fest, the ribbon was cut opening the newest pathway to the Greenway system. While only a little over 800 feet in length, this section of pathway around Reflection Pond, completes a project that was planned nearly 30 years ago. The original plans for Sarg Hubbard Park call for the pathway to completely encircle the pond. When the park was under construction, it was discovered that oil was leaching into the pond from a neighboring property. After 25 years of clean up, the Washington State Department of Ecology was satisfied that the contaminants had been recovered or contained and issued a close out order on the site. This gave the Greenway the opportunity to finish the project.

A lot has changed in the ensuing 25 years. While extending out the process of construction, the process is necessary to protect the environment for further degradation. There were nearly nine months of applications, advertising, hearings, findings, appeal periods and final reviews. There were stipulated construction methods and design criteria. All good and necessary. Once the final approval was given, it only took 30 days to construct the pathway, two fishing piers and small bridge over the outflow to the pond.

Stepping up to help build this highly anticipated project was the Zirkle family. With financial assistance from the Rotary Club of Yakima and the Yakima Greenway Endowment, Jane Kirk, Dusan & Melinda Stenjoevic, St. Elizabeth’s Nursing Alumni, Newcomer’s Club and the 2008 Greenway Foundation Board of Directors and Employees, over $80,000 was raised. As is usual for a Greenway project, we multiply each dollar raised by using volunteer help in construction and in-kind donation of professional assistance, equipment and material.

Volunteers from Yakima Rotary, GE Aviation, Terrace Heights Baptist Church Group and others, coupled with the professional assistance of Andreotti & Associates, Ken Leingang Excavation, Tri Ply Construction and Pendleton Excavating all worked together to create this very badly needed section of pathway.

The new path includes two fishing piers and a walk bridge all with handicap access. Money was donated to help us complete this project.

Membership maintains the Greenway.