Established in 1956, the Romkey neighborhood has a rich history dating back several decades. Originally, Romkey Park encompassed the area south of 9th Avenue S. However, in 1957, additional land was generously deeded to the city to facilitate the construction of the Moorhead Pool, which officially opened its doors in 1958. Despite the typical lifespan of pools in our climate being 25 to 40 years, the old pool defied the odds, standing strong at 66 years old – surpassing its expected lifespan by 25 years.
Romkey Park
The City of Moorhead is excited to announce that the Moorhead Municipal Pool, including its brand-new splash pad is officially open!
Reimagine Romkey includes new amenities throughout the park and pool area designed to create a more welcoming, accessible, and enjoyable experience for visitors of all ages. From expanded recreation features to added comfort and convenience, the area offers something for everyone.
For more information about pool hours, programs, and summer events, visit our pool page.
To meet grant requirements and understand what the residents wanted, the City undertook significant community engagement efforts. This included mailing over 4,000 announcements to households within a one-mile walking radius of the park, as well as reaching out to participants in swimming lessons, after-school programs, and pool pass holders. An open house held on November 7, 2022, encouraged active participation from adults and children, featuring a 'build your own park' activity. Additionally, a public website and survey were established to gather feedback. Notably, 28% of respondents indicated residency within the neighborhood, highlighting robust community involvement. Children enrolled in the after-school program also contributed to the engagement process.
The City prioritized the community's input regarding desired park amenities, alongside pool reconstruction. Following thorough feedback analysis, key amenities emerged, including a skatepark (21%), expanded playground (21%), food forest (17%), splash pad (14%), waterslide (14%), basketball courts (14%), landscape plantings (12%), and a sledding hill (12%). The finalized park concept reflects these preferences and features:
- Pool with diving board and water slides
- Zero-Entry Wading Pool
- Splashpad outside the pool fencing, accessible free of charge and extending the season
- Pool building with universal locker room and community room
- Skatepark
- Traditional Playground
- Natural Playground
- Food Forest and Sustainable Landscaping
- Basketball Courts
- Sledding Hill
- Pickleball Courts
- Soccer Field
- Picnic Shelter
- New Trails and Sidewalks
The City proposed a grant totaling $10 million for the project, with a 50-50 local match. The breakdown of funding is as follows:
- City: $5 million, sourced from a combination of fund balance reserves (city reserves), bonding (borrowing), and private donations.
- Federal: $5 million, awarded through the Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership grant.
Since the application submission, the project cost has risen to $11.3 million, with the inclusion of the splash pad. Initially excluded due to cost constraints, the Moorhead City Council approved funding for the splash pad, deeming it an essential project component.
