The Parks & Recreation Department is proud to announce that Erickson Playfield has been selected to receive the 2023 Spotlight Award for Facilities from the Washington Recreation & Parks Association (WRPA).
Each year, the WRPA honors individuals and organizations for their contributions to the fields of parks and recreation in Washington State. The prestigious Spotlight Awards for Facilities, Parks and Trails recognize the highest standards in design, development, and renovation of park and recreation areas.
This award is a significant achievement made possible through the support and generosity of local community partners.
Over the years, the Parks & Recreation Department has focused on building partnerships within the community to foster greater collaboration and invest in our parks and facilities. These public and private partnerships have helped to transform Erickson Playfield into an exceptional facility for both residents and visitors to enjoy. The 4.2-acre park is now a corridor of recreational opportunity, boasting five key amenities, including a state-of-the-art playground, pump track, skate park, calisthenics park, and four tennis courts.
“We are thrilled and honored to receive this recognition; however, this is really an award for the community who helped to make it possible,” said Parks & Recreation Director Corey Delikat. “It’s a testament to the hard work of our partners and staff and serves as a great reminder for what can be accomplished when we come together to create something truly special.”
Most recently, the City collaborated with the Lincoln Park BMX Association to install a pump track at Erickson Playfield. Funded by state grants and donations, the community-driven project has resulted in the completion of the largest Velosolutions pump track in the Pacific Northwest, and the first-ever adaptive track in the United States.
In 2021, the City, the Dream Playground Foundation, and countless community members rallied together to build the Generation II Dream Playground. This project replaced the original playground, built by local volunteers in 2002, with updated playground surfacing and inclusive play equipment for children of all ages and abilities.
The tennis courts at Erickson Playfield are a recreational staple in Port Angeles, largely due to the partnership and support of the Peninsula Tennis Club (PTC). Made possible by funding through the PTC, the City, and a potential state grant, the tennis courts will undergo major improvements in 2023, including repainting of the courts’ surfaces and the addition of LED lighting to extend times of play.
Representatives for Erickson Playfield and the Parks & Recreation Department will be recognized at the WRPA Annual Awards Banquet on May 18th.
“This award is a tribute to the community members who have helped to bring this park to life,” added Delikat. “Thank you to all who have volunteered, donated or come to play at Erickson Playfield. We look forward to future partnerships to cultivate thriving public spaces.”
Erickson Playfield, located at 302 South Race Street in Port Angeles, Washington, is open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. To learn more about this award-winning park facility, please visit www.cityofpa.us/parksandrecreation.