GALION, Ohio — Construction has begun for a new splash park in Galion’s East Park after a delayed start.
Shirley Clark, chair of the parks committee and member of city council, had hoped the park would be ready to open in July; however, the weather caused a delay in construction, she said.
Mayor Tom O’Leary said that they hope to have construction completed in September, noting there remains a fair amount of work to get the park up and running. He said the opening is weather dependent and that they’ll make a decision closer to completion of construction whether they’ll open the park this year or wait until next year.
“We’re just as disappointed as the neighborhood kids that this hasn’t been turned over to the public yet,” he said, adding, “But we remain optimistic that’ll happen soon.”
The park will feature on-ground sprinklers, palm trees that drop water, a slide, “just a variety of things,” Clark said. The park’s design was created by Water Odyssey.
It will be placed in the area of the former swimming pool. “We’re going to utilize that space and utilize some of the plumbing and everything that’s already there to help with the cost,” said Clark. “It’s going to put something back in that area that has sat dormant for so long.”
People will be able to visit the park free of charge.
“Like most things in the parks, people will be able to use this at their own risk,” Clark said.
Splash parks often have little or no standing water, thus eliminating the need for lifeguards or other supervision, as there is little risk of drowning.
This project costs $328,000 and is being funded in part through a $200,000 grant from the Freese Foundation. The remaining $128,000 is covered by the City of Galion.
Clark said the idea for this new addition to the city sparked about two years ago.
“I started looking into it a couple years ago. With our east end not having a swimming pool, I thought it would be great for the kids in that end of town…Not only for the east end, but everybody will be able to use it. And I’m sure we’ll probably have kids coming from other towns over to play,” she said.
It’s been a “joint effort,” she described, in helping make the idea a reality. She praised O’Leary for his help, noting, “Our mayor has worked very hard on this to get this put together.”
“We’re all really, really excited about it. It’s just going to be a great thing for the whole town,” she said.
“I started looking into it a couple years ago. With our east end not having a swimming pool, I thought it would be great for the kids in that end of town…Not only for the east end, but everybody will be able to use it. And I’m sure we’ll probably have kids coming from other towns over to play,” said Shirley Clark.
