‘Connelly Park is back’

MOSES LAKE — Nearly three months after a powerful windstorm left Connelly Park looking like a disaster zone, the popular Moses Lake recreation area is set to reopen this weekend as crews complete a massive cleanup and restoration effort. 

The reopening coincides with the return of the Moses Lake Vintage Test & Tune event Aug. 29-30, hosted by the Northwest Power Boat Association. The free event will feature vintage hydroplanes, food trucks and family-friendly activities while marking the park's return to public use. 

"We are going to be open this coming weekend, which is really exciting," Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District General Manager Sam Castro said. "We were targeting hopefully the end of August, and so we're right within that window." 

Connelly Park, formerly known as Airman's Beach, closed after a late-May windstorm brought winds approaching 70 miles per hour and toppled dozens of massive trees. Castro previously called the event unprecedented, saying it uprooted some of the park's largest trees and caused extensive damage to buildings, irrigation systems, electrical infrastructure and park amenities. 

The destruction was unlike anything park officials had experienced. 

"We had 22 trees down that were over 120 feet in length," Castro said during a recent interview. "It took an enormous amount of effort." 

In the weeks that followed, crews from Basin Tree Services removed fallen trees, ground stumps and cleared hazardous debris. Arborists evaluated the remaining trees, leading to the removal of approximately 25 trees in total due to safety concerns. 

The storm also left behind massive craters where root systems had been ripped from the ground. 

"We brought in, so far, almost 100 yards of material just to fill the craters the trees left behind," Castro said. "It just shows the magnitude." 

While much of the visible damage has been repaired, one of the park's biggest losses remains unresolved. A recently renovated restroom building sustained severe structural damage during the storm. 

"The building is a total loss," Castro said. 

Insurance coverage on the building was approximately $250,000, but replacement costs have increased significantly. Castro said recent estimates place construction costs near $480 per square foot. 

"It puts it at about $500,000 to replace it in kind," he said. "Our insurance, of course, doesn't cover that full amount." 

The Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District Board is expected to discuss long-term options for replacing the facility during a Sept. 8 workshop. Castro said the community is welcome to attend and give input on the matter. In the meantime, portable restrooms will serve park visitors throughout the remainder of the season. 

Despite the setback, much of the park has been restored. The irrigation system, which was heavily damaged during the storm, is operating again after weeks of repairs. Crews have also rehabilitated landscaping, repaired sprinkler systems and prepared public recreation areas for reopening. 

"What we did is we had to remove the sidewalk because it had heaved in many cases upwards of about a foot or two," Castro said. "Anything that's hazardous, we're eliminating it. We're removing it." 

Visitors returning this weekend will find many familiar attractions still intact, including the playground, beach area and fishing access. 

"We've got a very safe park," Castro said. "The storm didn't take out all the trees. We do have our playground that is still standing." 

Castro also said the district used the closure as an opportunity to address long-standing maintenance needs. 

"During this downtime, we had the chance to come in and really do a full inventory of all the sprinkler systems," he said. "Our two new employees really concentrated on making certain that every inch of this park gets water." 

The district is also emphasizing the improving condition of Moses Lake itself. Castro said recent water quality monitoring has produced encouraging results, and local anglers have reported excellent fishing throughout the summer. 

"The fishing community lets us know that the water quality is improving and the fishing has been great," he said. 

For many residents, the reopening represents the return of a cherished gathering place. Throughout the closure, Castro said the district fielded daily inquiries about when the park would reopen. 

"It feels really good for me because we get a lot of calls, believe it or not, from people not just within Grant County but also out of the state," Castro said. "This has been a place where people come and reunite." 

Community support has been a major source of encouragement throughout the recovery process. Castro credited local residents, board members and staff for helping restore one of Moses Lake's most popular recreation destinations. 

"The park would not be where it is today without all of the support that we receive from everyone," he said. 

The Moses Lake Vintage Test & Tune event will serve as the park's grand reopening celebration. Castro expects a larger turnout than previous years, with vintage boat owners traveling from across the country to participate. 

"It's a free event to the community," Castro said. "I want the community to please come out and enjoy it. This is their park." 

Following the boat races, the park will close Monday and Tuesday, following the regular schedule. Regular operating hours will be 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, with closures on Mondays and Tuesdays. Castro said the park will remain open throughout the rest of the season until Oct. 31, when the park closes for the winter.  

As residents prepare to return, Castro hopes visitors will appreciate both the park's recovery and the work that made it possible. 

"We hear our community loud and clear," he said. "Connelly Park is back."

    Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District General Manager Sam Castro said he appreciates the community's patience while crews worked to restore the park. He said he is excited to have the community out this weekend for the Moses Lake Vintage Test & Tune event.
  

    A windstorm blew through Grant County on May 28, with gusts estimated at 70 mph, and around 22 trees were uprooted. After the storm, the Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District decided Connelly Park was not safe for visitors until hazards were removed from the area. Over the past two months, crews have been removing trees, refilling holes and fixing the irrigation system. The park will reopen this Saturday.