If you didn’t know, there was an opening ceremony June 8 for the new Covington Community Park.

I always thought the field next to Tahoma High School was just a horse pasture. Never would I have thought that there was an idea to have a park there for almost 10 years. Around 2002, the city of Covington purchased the land that used to be a farm. Reserving it was one of the only ways to keep it from being turned into just another housing development. By 2008 Covington’s parks and recreation department completed the master plan. The next step was to make it happen.

When I came onto the field I was awakened with a bright, concrete platform and shiny new bleachers. There was one full size soccer field, grass cut to the quick. A large black, chain-link fence surrounding the perimeter, and goals big enough for older kids to play with. I was greeted by Scott Thomas, the director of Covington Parks and Recreation, and also by Margeret Harto, Covington’s mayor.

To start the ceremony, Mayor Harto spoke at the podium in front of a large ribbon that separated the crowd from the field. First she introduced some individuals in the crowd, and then she told a story about how the park came to be. She also informed us on new things to come, other than a soccer field and a trail. Additions to Covington Community Park include tennis courts, basketball courts, more soccer fields, more parking, additions to the trail, play areas, a concession stand, a community stage and more! This park is going to be a slam dunk! This field and trail was only part one.

“It’s like building a quilt. You put one square to another, and before you know it, you’re done,” Harto said.

Next was the actual ribbon cutting. A Covington Community Sports team sat underneath the ribbon, and Mayor Harto along with a few others cut the ribbon with these gigantic, wooden scissors the size of a small dog. Once the ribbon had fallen, the kids soccer team ran onto the field and started practicing, while everyone else was free to roam. If you went to the Covington Parks and Recreation tent — the same one I saw at Relay For Life June 1 — you could get snacks, beverages, or souveneirs like a soccer ball key chain.

Also somebody near the field was making balloon animals for kids! At every special event there has to be something fun!

You could also walk down some steps to the beginning of a paved trail that led into the trees. I didn’t get a chance to walk it  — I was in heels — but I did go over to another stand, which had some maps that included things to be added to the park in phase two. I was amazed to see what is planned and can’t wait for the next phase to come.

For some of you who are excited to come down here and check the park out, the fields aren’t officially open to the public until sometime in September. Covington Parks and Recreation wants to get a head-start on the grass field before it gets stomped on by a billion people. Also if you want to go see the trail, I heard you’re welcome to bring a dog if it’s leashed. So, I really hope to see many people next time I’m at the park.

This is only the beginning. Covington Community Park is going to be one of the best additions I’ve seen to Covington so far.