Apparently, all kids in the CD need is a couple inches of water and it’s playtime mayhem.
The Powell Barnett Wading Pool was open July 2 for the first of many ankle-moistening Saturdays this summer, and neighborhood kids were making the most of it. They were splashing, wrestling, inventing games and making new friends.
The city was going to keep the pool dry all year amid budget cuts, but a community effort raised enough money to keep the pool open Saturdays during the summer. Donations from 60 community members, most of them less than $50, combined with a $300 donation from Central District News and our sister site Capitol Hill Seattle to raise about $3,500 of the $4,400 needed to keep the pool open.
A loan from an anonymous donor covered the rest, and organizers have been working to raise the remaining funds, including holding a fundraiser at All-Purpose Pizza (a CDN sponsor) in June in which the shop donated a portion of its proceeds to the pool.
Kudos to Melissa Cate Christ who came up with the idea and pursued it on her own! There is still some debt to retire on the loan so donations still welcome; Leschi Community Council is the fiscal agent and donations may be made through Paypal.
APP has also offered to host another fundraiser in mid-August if things are coming up shy….