• Editor’s note: The City of Yelm’s Cochrane Park engineering study “spin” in today’s news release omits the key fact that the city is revitalizing the park because they are REQUIRED to do so. This was covered on this blog on April 3, 2019.
• “The project is a new requirement under Department of Ecology and is required because the city is seeking to change the way it processes reclaimed water and needs an amendment to its facilities plan,” quoting the March 21st NVN.

“Cochrane Memorial Park Revitalization Underway”

“The City of Yelm has begun work on an engineering study to improve the aesthetics and functionality of Cochrane Memorial Park, one of Yelm’s most popular parks and an iconic public resource.

“Being that Cochrane Park is one of the most appealing parks in the community, most work to remove overgrown vegetation and other modifications will take place in the winter months, when the park is less active.

“The engineering study will include extensive analysis, conceptual exhibits, public outreach, and recommendations for reconstruction. Cochrane Park is one of the most appealing parks in the community and is symbolic of the City’s effort to conserve our natural resources. It is a popular destination for the community and the City wants the public to be a part of the re-design and engineering process,” quoting the City of Yelm. Read more

• Editor’s note: The city council had been informed previously about the Cochrane Park expense ($250,000) needing to be budgeted. While the city glossed over key facts about this project, I acknowledge former NVN Editor Megan Hansen for listing the facts accurately in her story of March 21, 2019, quoted below.

“New Water Rules Add Unexpected Costs For City”

“The project is a new requirement under Department of Ecology and is required because the city is seeking to change the way it processes reclaimed water and needs an amendment to its facilities plan.”

“The cost of this analysis [up to $250,000] was unexpected, but the city does have money already budgeted for work on the system it will use,” by Megan Hansen, Nisqually Valley News (NVN). Read more