The Palatka City Commission directed staff to proceed toward a splash pad at Booker Park after a consultant’s feasibility study recommended two preferred locations: a Riverfront Park site adjacent to an existing playground and Booker Park.

Consultants from Weston & Sampson presented a four-site feasibility study evaluating restroom proximity, utility connections, visibility, site constraints and cost ranges. The firm analyzed compact splash-pad footprints from 500 to 2,000 square feet and estimated capital costs that vary widely depending on whether a public restroom and long utility runs must be added. The consultant said sites with existing public restrooms and short utility runs—specifically the Riverfront location adjacent to the playground and Booker Park—offer the best cost efficiency and community integration.

Capital costs and operations: The consultant’s high-level cost ranges placed projects at roughly $675,000 up to $1.4 million depending on site selection and whether a restroom must be added; consultants noted some vendor cost estimates given to the city did not include site utilities and earthwork. City staff and the consultant estimated annual operating/water costs at roughly $60,000 to $80,000 a year and noted that splash pads require frequent water-quality checks (pH and sanitizer) during a day’s operation. Commissioners asked staff about the need for trained attendants or lifeguards and were told operating the facility safely would require staffing coverage and maintenance checks multiple times per day.

Public comments and concerns: During public comment, residents raised health and safety concerns (including stringent state rules for recreational water systems and frequent monitoring), and noted the splash pad could reduce available space at the Riverfront for large fishing tournaments. The chamber and a tournament organizer said a single two-day bass tournament can bring an estimated $2 million to the local economy and warned that placing a splash pad in certain riverfront areas would reduce or eliminate space used by those events. A public commenter urged Booker Park as the best site because it already has restrooms and playground adjacency.

Commission action: After debate the commission moved and approved a motion to pursue Booker Park as the preferred location and asked staff to return with budget and staffing estimates, including the cost to provide trained operators and daily sanitation, and to confirm any impacts to scheduled riverfront events.

Next steps: Staff will compile a fuller operations budget (including personnel and certification/training needs), confirm permit and water-quality requirements under state rules, and assess how a Booker Park installation would interact with other park programming. The commission’s direction authorizes staff to continue design and budgeting work on Booker Park as the recommended site; final budget approval and construction authorization will return to the commission.