Council approves Cane Creek splash pad and new playground totaling about $1.8 million

The Cookeville City Council unanimously approved two Park and Recreation purchases for Cane Creek Park: a custom-designed splash pad for $1,344,388.79 and a 5,800-square-foot playground with ForeverLawn surfacing for $444,194.42, both to be purchased through Recreational Concepts using the Sourcewell cooperative contract.

Rick Woods of Leisure Services presented renderings and project details, saying the splash pad features multiple interactive elements (rocket sprays, mushroom rain curtains and a large slide), cantilevered shade structures, seating and age-appropriate zones. The splash pad will use recirculating treated water and is motion-activated so features do not run continuously.

Woods said the playground proposal includes equipment priced at $292,620.12 and ForeverLawn safety surfacing at $151,574.30, producing a combined installed cost of $444,194.42 for the play area. He described ForeverLawn as lower-maintenance and safer for fall protection compared with mulch or aging pour-in-place surfaces.

Council members praised the series of leisure-services projects underway in the city and characterized the two Cane Creek items as significant additions to park amenities. Staff cautioned the splash pad would not be ready in time for the current summer season and indicated a target opening in the following year.

Both purchases were approved by a 4-0 vote. Staff will return with construction schedules and installation timelines; Leisure Services said the splash pad’s recirculating system and the playground surfacing will be installed per manufacturer and public-health standards.