ARLINGTON – The city installed restrooms at Haller Park, the first of many improvements planned to be done by summer.

The new facility is a CXT, Inc. prefabricated concrete building made in Spokane and delivered to Haller Park in three pieces, city official said. It includes six “family style” gender neutral, ADA restrooms at a cost of $196,546.

The building also includes a concession area on the north end to be paid for with local funds. A community activity shelter is on hold until additional funds become available. Funding was provided by a federal Community Development Block Grant, the city of Arlington and Snohomish County. The new restrooms will be in service as soon as the sidewalks around the building are in place. The modular style was viewed by city leaders as a scaled-down solution to keep the city within budget.

This spring the old restroom, playground and asphalt parking that is dividing the park will be removed to make way for a splash pad, a seasonal water play area, Recreation Manager Sarah Lopez said. Demolition will start on Monday, April 10, but the park will remain open during this time and portable toilets will be available.

The splash pad is being funded through the Arlington Rotary Club’s Duck Dash and partnering with Friend of the Park fundraising efforts, as well as a $500,000 donation from the Stillaguamish Tribe and state recreation funding being pursued by the city.

The Arlington Arts Council has commissioned a frog sculpture that will stand 7-feet tall.

The new restrooms are part of more ambitious makeover that would include the splash pad, a stage/plaza area, vendor plaza, seating areas, group shelter, kiosk, riverside gathering spot with seating walls and interpretive panels, rain gardens and areas for children to play.