Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Special Events And Splashpad topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
New downtown splash pad proves popular; staff warn of operating strain and rising event demands
Summary
Parks staff and commissioners described the splash pad as a major summer draw with local economic spillovers but said it increased labor demands, water and chemical costs, and logistic needs; staff urged planning and budgets to reflect ongoing operating commitments.
Commissioners and parks staff reported the downtown splash pad — opened June 6 this year — has been heavily used and generated additional local business activity, but also created sustained staffing and operating demands that will need budgeting and operational planning going forward.
Nicole, the parks events organizer, said the splash pad has attracted families and visitors since opening and that local businesses reported increased sales during splash‑pad days. “People have come from all over; they come and then I talk to businesses — they’re getting pizza, they’re getting Starbucks,” Nicole said, describing local economic spillover.
Staff told commissioners the pad’s season was intended to run Memorial Day to Labor Day and that staff have kept it open as weather permitted; they cautioned that the feature is not a simple on/off system. Winterization, chemical handling and water‑treatment logistics require substantive staff time, and parks crews absorbed much of the additional workload this season. Parks staff said they did not receive additional seasonal positions specifically for splash‑pad operation and that some maintenance tasks were contracted out to handle the summer workload.
Commissioners praised staff and volunteers for managing a busy events schedule this summer — including a large soccer tournament, a block party and other festivals — and noted staff worked overtime and coordinated with the chamber and event partners. Barnett, the new park superintendent, will take on continued operations work including lighting and winter readiness for features.
Staff asked commissioners to consider the operating tradeoffs when the city contemplates additional capital features such as shelters, permanent restrooms or more splash pads, because each amenity increases long‑term operations costs. The city’s ongoing fee study and future budget requests are expected to include cost‑recovery options for rental and event operations; staff said fee revenue should be structured to return to park operations where appropriate.
No new capital approvals were made at the meeting. Commissioners asked staff to bring operating cost estimates for proposed capital features to future meetings and to present lessons learned from this summer’s events.
