Ascent Park renewal begins with a stone face and sign

Published 12:30 pm Thursday, December 11, 2008

Dennis Box

The Courier-Herald

The Ascent Park makeover began last week.

Workers prepared to attach a stone veneer to the base monument holding the Ascent sculpture. The park is located along state Route 410 on Elhi Hill.

According to Assistant Public Works Director Gary Leaf, the city has contracted a local masonry company, Heller Construction, to complete the stonework.

"This stone veneer should last a long, long time," Leaf said. "Cultured stone is made with concrete and only lasts about five years. This will really look nice. It's made of sandstone and bluestone."

Leaf said the stone veneer is 6-to-8 inches thick and will cover the front and sides.

A metal mesh sign with raised reflective letters saying " Welcome to Bonney Lake" will be attached to the veneer.

Western Metal Arts out of Kent made the sign, and Leaf said the company also made the bronze medallions placed in concrete at the Allan Yorke skate park.

A Seattle firm, Cascade Design Collaborative, completed the design of the park improvements. The company also completed design work for Allan Yorke Park improvements and is working on a master plan for the 12-acre parcel, known as the Moriarty property, next to the park.

The next phase will include some electrical improvements and this fall the landscaping project will begin.

The city is working on an irrigation system and choosing the types of native plants and trees best suited for the area.

Administrative Services Coordinator Don Morrison said because of cost, the flagpoles will probably not be replaced, but new flags will be raised.

The total cost of the project is set at $30,000. Leaf estimates the city is saving about $15,000 by acting as the general contractor for the project.

Dennis Box can be reached at dbox@ cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/courierherald.