Here’s why Highland Park Spraypark is missing a favorite feature

| Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Thanks for the tips and photo. A texter sent the pic on Tuesday morning, wondering if Highland Park Spraypark – the only spraypark in West Seattle – was being dismantled; we asked Seattle Parks, and while awaiting the answer, another reader clarified that the “bucket dumper feature” was removed, saying that resulted in “a lot of disappointed kiddos, including mine.” We got the explanation from Parks spokesperson Christina Hirsch this afternoon:

A tower failed and has been removed at the Highland Park spraypark. We are evaluating options about what returns in its place, however we don’t expect we’ll be able to bring something back this season.

The rest of the spraypark – which opened 13 years ago in the space that had previously held a wading pool – remains open, 11 am-8 pm daily. The park is at 1100 SW Cloverdale.

Kyle June 3, 2026 (8:19 pm)

All that parks district money and we can’t fix the best feature at the only spray park in West Seattle the entire summer?!

WS Res June 3, 2026 (10:26 pm)

Reply

Do you have a warehouse full of industrial-grade bucket dumper poles just sitting around waiting to be needed? If you do, you might want to let Parks know.
- Kyle June 4, 2026 (7:02 am)
  
  Reply
  
  I don’t, but a quick Google search found 5+ who do. Here’s one who does installations in WA. https://www.waterplay.com/en/waterplay-splash-pad-usa/
- Azimuth June 4, 2026 (8:06 am)
  
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  Parks has built a reputation for dragging their feet on seemingly doable projects large and small, so Kyle’s comment is reasonable.

Sunburnt June 3, 2026 (10:00 pm)

Bring it back!

Jort June 3, 2026 (11:07 pm)

Let me get out my little “Seattle Parks Department Translator Device.” Let’s see, let’s type in “We are evaluating options about what returns in its place, however we don’t expect we’ll be able to bring something back this season.” And the translator says…. “Expect this to cost $47 million and take 14 years to replace.”

Derrick June 4, 2026 (6:21 pm)

This seems like something the community can rally together and accomplish. Where can we send a targeted donation to get this up and running? With Wild Waves closing, failure to replace a dang bucket on a pole at a spray park… why can’t we let kids have the summer fun they deserve?