The Amazing Journey of Tommy the Turtle
Children who use the playground at Kennydale Beach Park gained a new friend this winter, when Tommy the Turtle came out of hibernation and was installed at the playground area of the park.
Tommy himself is not new; his history goes back at least to 1960, when his home was the former Renton Shopping Center in downtown Renton (now known as the Fred Meyer Plaza). At that time, he was positioned near the Sears store, which was the main retailer at the Center. Tommy is one of several large concrete turtles (and other types of animals) that were designed and sculpted by Milton Hebald and sold as play structures by a firm called Creative Playthings in the mid-1950’s and 60’s. There are other “Tommys” at various parks around the United States; you can see some of them at by typing ‘Tommy the Turtle Bowie’ in your browser's search bar.
Tommy himself is not new; his history goes back at least to 1960, when his home was the former Renton Shopping Center in downtown Renton (now known as the Fred Meyer Plaza). At that time, he was positioned near the Sears store, which was the main retailer at the Center. Tommy is one of several large concrete turtles (and other types of animals) that were designed and sculpted by Milton Hebald and sold as play structures by a firm called Creative Playthings in the mid-1950’s and 60’s. There are other “Tommys” at various parks around the United States; you can see some of them at by typing ‘Tommy the Turtle Bowie’ in your browser's search bar.
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When Sears left the Renton Center in 1980, the mall management donated Tommy and a dolphin statue, “Flipper”, (now located at Henry Moses Aquatic Center) to the City of Renton. Tommy was moved to the Renton Highlands Library. Then, when the library was moved from NE 12th Street to its present location near Sunset Ave. NE, it was determined that the new library’s grounds did not have a suitable space (due to safety considerations) for a childrens’ climbing structure. So Tommy was put into hibernation in a City storage facility for several years.
Several months ago, City Staff members, working together with the Renton Municipal Arts Commission, identified Kennydale Beach Park as a suitable and safe location at which to place Tommy, and plans were then developed to move and install the 1,400 pound sculpture there. On January 31, 2020 this task took place, at which time City representatives and community leaders were present to celebrate with Tommy at his new home! |
Members of the Renton Parks Planning & Natural Resources
Division,
Capital Projects group who led the “Tommy” project
are: (from left) Betsy Severtsen, Alan Wyatt, and Michael Espenan
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