Dream Realized: Splashpad will be officially opened at July 5 fireworks celebration in Morsches Park
(Talk of the Town photo by Jennifer Zartman Romano) Through there is still a plenty of work to be done on the Splashpad, a water feature under construction in Morsches Park, it is really starting to take shape and will be officially opened at 6 p.m. on July 5. Above, today work begins to install the cement foundation for the Splashpad.
By Jennifer Zartman Romano
As earth-moving crews make way for the Splashpad at Morsches Park, countless local residents are on the edge of their seat – craning their necks as they cross the bridge on US 30 or taking a momentary detour off SR 205 to take a quick peek at the progress there.
In the final weeks of the Splashpad project, an initiative now about two years in the making, there is visible progress and a heightened sense of anticipation as it is so nearly reality at this point.
“It has been very exciting to see the progress that has gone on over the last couple of years,” wrote Columbia City Park Department director Mark Green to volunteers working closely with the project this week. “I definitely could not have done this by myself. Working with each one of you has been incredible.”
“It’s a small Splashpad that’s going to provide a lot of fun for kids,” Green said.
Green estimates that the total cost of the project, which has been funded by individual contributions, a Dekko Foundation grant and other gifts, will be approximately $190,000. He said the cost not only includes the Splashpad, but also parking lot resurfacing, newly painted handicap parking spaces, remodeled bathrooms to offer handicap accessibility, additional sidewalks, a drinking fountain, enhanced drainage, new picnic tables, benches, shade structures and trash cans.
The cost of the Splashpad, alone, Green said, is $120,000 with $35,000 of that for installation. Originally slated to open in early June, flooding and other issues, pushed the date back considerably.
At last, however, Green is eager to announce the grand opening of the Splashpad will be July 5 at 6 p.m. during festivities for the community Independence Day celebration in Morsches Park.
Green plans to incorporate the grand opening of the Splashpad with other Independence Day events on July 5, including live entertainment, music and other family-oriented activities.
“We’ll also want to thank those who’ve donated to the project,” he said.
“I really want to thank the water department and the electric department,” Green said. “If it wasn’t for them, this would cost a lot more. It’s been hard work, not fun stuff.”
Green said he was also very grateful for the efforts of Jeff Walker for working with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
“He put a lot of effort into that,” Green added.