Construction on the newly named Albert Haller Playfields in the City of Sequim?s Water Reuse Demonstration Park began last week. Construction is slated to finish in the fall depending on weather. Sequim Gazette photo by Michael Dashiell

The Sequim Community Playfields at the Sequim Water Reuse Demonstration Park officially have been named the Albert Haller Playfields.

The city council unanimously approved the name Monday, June 27, following a proposal by Craig Stevenson with Sequim Family Advocates. The group requested the name because the Albert Haller Foundation gave $102,000 toward the project and members feel it honors his legacy of charitable giving across Sequim.

Mayor Ken Hays proposed honoring the city's contribution of land as well by calling the site the Albert Haller Sequim Playfield but Stevenson and other councilors contested the idea. Stevenson said adding Sequim to the playfields' name wasn't consistent with other facilities such as the James Center for Performing Arts and June Robinson Memorial Park.

"Just the thought of having Albert Haller Playfields reflects that the city council had the vision to share the land," Stevenson said.

The Park Advisory Board unanimously approved renaming the site, too, and proposed the change to council.