Kids pound the ground at Sorosis Ribbon Cutting
Photos and story by Tom Peterson
The Dalles, Ore., Jan. 18, 2025 — Parents and adults flocked from miles around to climb the tower and take a first ride on the tubular slide at the brand new Tree Top Playground at Sorosis Park.
“We were so excited we came from Goldendale,” said Hector Sanchez as his two boys Alden and Ashton danced The Griddy beside him on Saturday just moments before Scott Baker and the Northern Wasco County Parks and Rec. Board opened the gates on the new fun factory like Willy Wonka.
“There’s a big tower over there,” said Alden, 5. “We’re gonna go to the top and slide down.”
The new Playground is the another major step of years of work and fundraising for Sorosis Park.
“This is an important milestone in the middle of a massive long term project to revitalize Sorosis Park,” said Board President Brewster Whitmire in an opening speech.. “Our children, families, and community deserve a beautiful and thriving park, and we are well on our way to achieving it. The future of this park – and all of our parks – is bright.
Mallory Branson holds one-year-old Cedar as her boys Zander and Lief give a thumbs up on the new Tree Top Playground at Sorosis Park on Saturday, Jan. 18
Meanwhile Zander and Leif Branson, ages 6 and 9 respectively, waited in anticipation. That tower was awaiting them.
“We’ve been to every park in The Dalles,” said Zander.
“It’s exciting to have something new,” added Leif.
Board member Annette Byers said she new the community was behind the project after she got her first donation, the first of $400,000, while at Sorosis.
Northern Wasco County Parks and Rec. Board Rachel Carter, Marcus Swift, Kasey McCullough, Brewster Whitmire and Annette Byers were all smiles as they celebrated the new playground with the community.
“I know how special Sorosis Park is,” she told the crowd. “I used to catch the school bus to school right over there… this place means a lot to me.”
Some 250 people gathered in the bright and crisp sunny morning and flocked to the gates that soon would open.
Executive Director Scott Baker prepares for the opening brandishing these massive scissors for the ribbon cutting as chants of “cut it” broke out. Whitmire would eventually do the honors.
Soon a shout of “cut it, cut it, cut it,” broke out from the kids and one reporter as Executive Director Scott Baker brandished a massive 3-foot pair of scissors.
These two among many others put their signatures on the ribbon that was to be cut just minutes later.
Whitmire made the cut and a rush of 100 plus children ran toward the play structure.
Robert Wells-Clark stood in awe watching the crowd as adults and children pounded the springy bright blue rubber tiles flooring the playground.
“This is amazing," he said. “It’s awesome for our community.”
And there is more to come.
“We are planning to add a Basketball court, larger swing set, shade shelters around playground, food cart area and parking lot improvements, batting cage, and an art installation using old TreeTop donor boards and tiles,” Whitmire said.
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