Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 129, Number 29, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 20 July 2006 — Page 29

Wakarusa stays cool with with new Pad

By Manpy McFarland Correspondent Wakarusa kids seeking relief from the hot summer sun need

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ADVANCE NEWS PHOTO/MANDV MCFARLAND Chayla Bellman (left) and Lindsay Ziegler test out the Splash Pad’s water canon.

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look no further than nearby Memorial Park. Finally, after 18 months of work, the park's new Splash Pad is complete and ready for action. The Splash Pad offers a

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fun, unique way to cool off when summer's heat begins to take its toll. Park board members, town council members and other individuals from the communi-

ty gathered to cheer as the ribbon was cut, signaling the official opening of the Splash Pad. Children raced in and out among streams of water, shouting and laughing as they became soaked from head to toe. Some of the Splash Pad's features include two

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water cannons, sprinklers that shoot from the ground, sprayers of all shapes and sizes and a large bucket that fills with water then spills over, drenching anyone who stands underneath. "We tried to find things for kids in Wakarusa to do that were fun, so this is what we came up with," said Park Board member Carla Mikel. The $195,000 project, including the Splash Pad and rest room facilities, was largely funded by the town, which donated $176,000. The park department was also able to obtain a grant of SIO,OOO, which the Elkhart County Community Foundation was able to match. For those involved with the project, it was rewarding to finally watch their vision become a reality. "I was really excited to see it

come about," said Mikel. "I definitely think this is going to be a good thing for Wakarusa." In the future, the Park Board plans to begin a number of additional projects. Within the next 10 years, they hope to introduce beach volleyball, shuffleboard and new playground equipment to the park. They also hope to construct a new gazebo. The board also tries to plant trees in the park ~ twice a year. This fall, they will be placing trees around the Splash Pad. "I think it's going to be a nice thing for younger age kids. It kind of opens awareness of the park, that it's here," said Randy Hughes, who helped work on the project. The Splash Pad will be open all summer, seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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