Soroptimist donates $30,000 to help rebuild Pioneer Park splash pad

Soroptimist International of La Grande put $30,000 toward rebuilding the splash pad at Pioneer Park, a donation that arrived in person at a La Grande City Council meeting and pushed the long-planned public project closer to its fundraising target. Past president Di Lyn Larsen-Hill and secretary Kate Huelter delivered the gift as city leaders, including City Manager John O’Brien, Parks and Recreation Director Stu Spence and Mayor Justin Rock, watched the public presentation unfold.

The donation matters because the splash pad is still in the fundraising and grant-seeking phase, with the city aiming for a total project budget of $500,000. At that level, Soroptimist’s contribution covers about 6% of the target, and the city still needs major outside support before work can move ahead. Council members also authorized Parks and Recreation to apply for an Oregon State Parks Local Government Grant that could provide roughly $300,000 under a 60-40 match structure if awarded, leaving the city to secure the rest through local donations and other funding.

City materials describe the project as a free, accessible summer amenity for children, families and visitors, with no pool admission required. The new splash pad is planned for Veterans’ Memorial Pool in Pioneer Park, a roughly 30-acre site on Palmer Avenue between Cedar and Alder streets that already includes the Veterans’ Memorial Swim Pool, an attached outdoor splash park, a 15,000-square-foot skate park, ballfields, a pavilion and other amenities. The city says the money raised will help pay for installation costs, water features and safety improvements.

The rebuild has been moving through city planning for months. Meeting minutes from Oct. 9, 2025, show the first splash pad meeting had relatively low turnout, but those who attended chose Pioneer Park and decided to remodel the existing pad. By Feb. 12, 2026, the splash pad development committee had selected the final design and started fundraising. In March, Parks and Recreation said the replacement would take the place of the old fenced-in splash pad at Veterans’ Memorial Pool and would be completely free and open to the public. Stu Spence also said the volunteer committee hoped to have the needed funds raised by the end of May so the city could pursue additional grants.

That outside support has begun to stack up. On May 28, the Wildhorse Foundation awarded La Grande Parks & Recreation a $20,000 grant for the Pioneer Park Splash Pad Replacement, one of seven Union and Wallowa County awards totaling $100,097. If the city can land the state grant and keep local donations coming, leaders are aiming for construction next spring and summer.