City of Tumwater and citizens cut ribbon for the new Kindred Park

Wednesday evening Tumwater city representatives and neighbors held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate a new park located in The Preserve development on 91st Avenue Southeast off Old Highway 99. The Park was named Kindred after some of Tumwater’s first citizens.

There was some discussion about naming the park after Schneider since he lives in the neighborhood and advocated for its creation, but the City of Tumwater does not typically name things after living people.

Before the ribbon was cut to officially open the park (which was already being thoroughly enjoyed by an abundance of the neighborhood’s younger residents), Chuck Denny, Parks and Recreation Director, commented that the experience of developing the park had taught the city many things “primarily not to attempt to build a park during a pandemic” alluding to the various supply issues.

A stone with a rainbow handprint that says Kindness Park

A Labor of Love

Denny then introduced Councilperson Charlie Schneider, who told of moving to The Preserve and it “becoming apparent that with the families moving into our neighborhood the kids needed a safe place to play and there were no plans for a city park in the area.”

“When reflecting back to when we first met with the city about the concept of having a city park in our neighborhood and at that time, we only had about 50 homes compared to what we have now”, said Schneider. Schneider then thanked Denny for making himself available to address questions or concerns, former Mayor Pete Kmet and current Mayor Debbie Sullivan for making the park a reality after years of discussions between the builders (of the neighborhood) and city hall.

Finally, Schneider thanked the neighbors who attended the first City Council meeting about the park on February 6, 2018, especially Cosette Volk, who at only six years young, stood in front of the City Council where she said, “there are not many parks in her neighborhood and the neighborhood needs a playhouse.” Schneider added, “she also stated she would like a swing and a slide”.

Tumwater Mayor Debbie Sulivan and Charlie Schneider of the City Council speak at the ribbon cutting of the new park.

History of the Kindred Family

Schneider then introduced Mayor Sullivan, who explained that Kindred Park honors David, Talitha Kindred, and their daughter Elizabeth. The Kindreds were friends of George and Isabelle Bush in Missouri, and the two families financed the wagon train to Tumwater in the 1840s. “The Kindred family claimed 640 acres near Black Hills High School to homestead,” said Sullivan. “David Kindred, George Bush, and Michael T . Simmons built the Tumwater Falls Grist Mill and Kindred was as original signer in the petition to Congress asking them to create Thurston County.”

The Kindred's daughter Elizabeth Kindred Simmons is often overlooked in written history but is an important figure in early Tumwater. “An estimable lady, she married Simmons, migrated west with four young sons giving birth to a fifth along the banks of the Columbia River,” said Sullivan. “She eventually had nine sons and three daughters – wow!  We hope Kindred Park will become known for kindred friendships that begin or grow in this new neighborhood park” said Sullivan.

Sullivan’s comments were followed by the ribbon cutting with Sullivan, Schneider, Denny and members of the Parks and Recreation Commission.