Connelly Park closed indefinitely after storm caused extensive damage

MOSES LAKE — Connelly Park will remain closed for the foreseeable future after a powerful windstorm swept through the area Thursday night, uprooting dozens of massive trees, damaging infrastructure and leaving park officials focused on safety and recovery. 

Initial estimates place the damage at approximately $50,000, largely due to cleanup costs and structural repairs, according to Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District General Manager Sam Castro. However, he is working alongside an assessor who may value the damage to be more, he said.  

The storm brought sustained winds exceeding 70 miles per hour, creating conditions unlike anything the park has previously experienced, Castro said. The highest wind speeds at the Grant County International Airport were reported at 69 MPH, according to National Weather Service Spokane.  

“We’ve seen wind like this before, where it comes from the south, but it’s never been to this magnitude in my opinion,” Castro said. “Based on the history of information that we have, this is unprecedented.” 

The storm uprooted around 20 trees more than 100 feet tall, along with several smaller ones. Many of the towering poplar trees had shallow root systems, making them especially vulnerable once high winds hit saturated ground. As a result, the park is now littered with fallen trunks, broken branches and unstable trees still at risk of collapse. 

“This appears safe, but it’s not,” Castro said while surveying the damage. “We can’t sacrifice somebody’s life over recreation. My job is to keep everybody safe, and that’s what I’m working on right now.” 

In addition to fallen trees, underground infrastructure suffered significant damage. Irrigation lines were torn apart, utility conduits exposed and portions of the park’s electrical system compromised. 

“Our irrigation system at the park has been completely destroyed with all the trees,” Castro said. “We have power lines, irrigation lines – all of that underground infrastructure has been impacted.” 

Park amenities were also damaged in the storm. Several park benches were destroyed, and the boat ramp area remains inaccessible, frustrating anglers during peak fishing season. 

“Bass fishermen want to come in and use our boat ramp, but we haven’t been able to clear that out,” Castro said. “We’re limiting access because we’re in risk mitigation mode.” 

A recently renovated restroom building suffered severe structural damage after being struck during the storm. Castro said the building, which had just received a new roof and fresh paint, may need to be condemned. 

“We just finished this building about two weeks ago,” Castro said. “What we’re seeing on the exterior tells us there are serious issues inside. I’d red tag it – it’s not safe for anyone to enter.” 

Inside the structure, ceiling supports appeared to have shifted under the weight of debris. 

“Those trusses should be five or six feet up,” Castro said. “Now they’re hanging down. It’s a lot worse than I expected.” 

One of the greatest ongoing risks comes from what arborists call “widow makers” – large, broken branches still suspended high above the ground. 

“We’ve got dead branches six inches in diameter, 75 feet up,” Castro explained. “When they fall, they can weigh over 150 pounds. If they hit you, the chances of surviving are pretty slim.” 

Even clearing the debris presents significant danger due to the way uprooted trees can shift. 

“Because of the root mass, when you cut a tree, it can actually spring back upright,” Castro said. “It’s extremely dangerous for crews working in these conditions.” 

Despite the destruction, no injuries were reported – something Castro called a blessing. 

The park had closed at its normal time of 8 p.m. Thursday, and staff ensured visitors were cleared out before conditions worsened. 

“We’re grateful that we cleared everybody out before the system came through,” Castro said. “I’m just thankful nobody was hurt, and we’re going to keep it that way.” 

Crews are now focused on securing the park, shutting down utilities and assessing hazards before cleanup can begin. The process will require coordination with arborists, insurance providers and possibly emergency authorizations, Castro said.  

“At this point, it’s no longer about opening the park – we’re in risk mitigation,” Castro said. “We have to evaluate every tree, eliminate hazards, and make sure it’s safe before anyone comes back in.” 

Castro expects the park to remain closed for several weeks, though a firm timeline has not yet been established. 

“Based on the damage I see right now, it’s going to be quite some time,” he said. “We’ll reopen as soon as it’s safe – that’s our commitment.” 

Connelly Park, formerly known as Airman’s Beach, is a historic and heavily used recreation area that draws more than 50,000 visitors annually. Castro said the closure is a disappointment, especially with events like the upcoming air show expected to bring visitors to the area. 

Still, he expressed confidence in the park’s eventual recovery. 

“It’s a gem,” Castro said. “We have a passion to get this park back where it needs to be, and we will.” 

In the meantime, officials are asking the public to stay out of the park and be patient as crews work to restore it. 

“We just ask for patience,” Castro said. “There are other beautiful parks in the area – please use those while we get this one back up and running.”

    Connelly Park just finished renovations of its bathroom, but several trees toppled onto the building Thursday night. Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District General Manager Sam Castro said the building is likely going to be ripped out and completely replaced.
  

    Two Moses Lake Irrigation and Rehabilitation District employees work on blocking off Connelly Park Friday morning. The park is closed to the public until the fallen trees and widow makers can be removed from the area.
  

    Multiple benches were lost to trees at Connelly Park Thursday during the storm.