Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park in Renton has a new playground, and it looks great.
(Update, summer 2021: The swimming beach at Gene Coulon Park is open.)
The replacement project wrapped up this winter, and the facility is open for business — or rather, make that fun.
A community survey helped to shape the new playground, and funding from the state helped to pay, as did Renton Regional Community Foundation Charles L. Custer Renton Park Memorial Fund.
It includes many all-abilities components: see-saw, group swing and individual swings, and two unique climbing structures.
Play structures are designated for ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12.
Gene Coulon Park, along Lake Washington, also has a seasonal swimming beach, walking paths, boat launch and much more. Within a short walk, Ivar’s and Kidd Valley offer dine-in and takeout food options.
Renton is also celebrating the completion of new play equipment at Sunset Neighborhood Park in the Renton Highlands.
Check out its centerpiece, the Berliner Neptune XXL, a 30-foot-high climbing structure that is the only structure of its type in the Pacific Northwest and just one of four in the United States.
The park also hasĀ new bathrooms, a promenade for performances and a paved walking path around the park.

Sunset Neighborhood Park boasts a unique and rare climbing tower. (Photo by Jasmin Thankachen)
More on parks and playgrounds:
Juanita Beach Park in Kirkland has new, all-abilities playground