Company offers to help build Milford splash pad; two site options, partner funding discussed

Jordan Erickson of Grama Group Inc. presented concept plans and funding options for a community splash pad at the Sept. 16 Milford City Council meeting, describing two manufacturer options and asking council and staff to narrow potential locations for detailed planning.

Erickson said Grama Group intends to donate labor and in-kind trades (electricians, concrete, plumbing) and that other local partners, including Fervo Energy and Sunrise Engineering, have expressed interest in contributing capital or engineering support. He displayed a map showing three candidate locations and said the area marked “C” (near pavilion/parking) would minimize tree-root risks and provide convenient parking for supervising adults.

Mikaela and others discussed prior design work and earlier measurements. Erickson presented two Splash Pad USA options he had solicited: a red-white-and-blue design (33 features) with a turnkey price of $290,000 and components-only price of about $123,001; and a water-tank theme (21 features) with a turnkey price of $270,000 and components-only price of about $105,000. The turnkey option includes installation and a pump room; the components-only option supplies equipment and warranty but leaves installation to local contractors.

Erickson said Splash Pad USA recommended an engineered plan (extra fee quoted at $10,500) but that Sunrise Engineering offered to assist with engineering and surveying. He described site utilities near the preferred pavilion location as including culinary water and sewer mains on the south side of the road and said the project team would need to maintain connection access and meet health-department requirements for filtration and water handling.

Council discussion focused on siting (avoiding trees whose roots and leaves could damage plumbing), access and parking during special events, dust-control at locations with dirt, and the expected maintenance and lifetime of splash-pad components. City staff and Erickson agreed to schedule a follow-up meeting with Splash Pad USA and involved staff (notably Chancey) to review plans, answer technical questions and work toward cost estimates that rely on components plus donated labor to reduce turnkey costs.

Erickson and council requested permission to coordinate scheduling and to meet with Splash Pad USA and Sunrise Engineering within the next few weeks to firm up design, costs and a construction schedule. No formal council vote was required at the Sept. 16 meeting; councilmembers asked staff to help coordinate a meeting time with Splash Pad USA and to bring back a more detailed plan for funding and construction.