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Underwood council tasks parks committee to research splash pad after resident flags costs and water, liability limits
Summary
Resident Kelsie Rollins presented splash‑pad research Jan. 14 and the council unanimously assigned the parks committee to study feasibility, fundraising and design after she cited Treynor’s long timeline, an estimated $500,000 price tag, water‑system ownership limits and liability concerns.
Kelsie Rollins presented research on a community splash pad at the Underwood City Council meeting on Jan. 14, 2025, describing Treynor’s eight‑year effort as a cautionary example and reporting that the Treynor group had seen construction estimates around $500,000 and had experienced much higher-than-expected costs.
Rollins said the Treynor group raised funds and that construction costs ultimately came back at “five times” what the group originally expected, and that Treynor plans to use a recycled water system. She told the council the Treynor group wished it had clearer initial communication with its city government and suggested the city consult the Snyder engineer for design and cost estimates if Underwood pursues a splash pad.
Council members and staff raised several constraints that would affect feasibility. Councilmembers noted Underwood does not own land available for expansion (the city is effectively land‑locked), Regional Water—not the city—owns the local water system and purchases bulk water from Council Bluffs Water Works, and state rules limit use of recycled sewer water for such features. Public works supervisor Dave Powell also flagged upkeep and liability questions, including who would be responsible if someone were injured.
Members discussed operating models: Rollins said local groups had discussed running a splash pad through a nonprofit; the minutes note that “Friends” is not a 501(c)(3) while UMBA is, and that private donations or volunteer labor had been part of the Treynor effort. Council members said if the city were asked to fund construction or operations, it might require a public vote and could raise property tax rates; they also noted the recent Underwood Community School bond passage will affect property tax rates.
Erwin moved and Bose seconded a motion to assign the Parks Committee—Mayor Dennis Bardsley, Jodi Bose, Josh Madsen and Dave Powell—to oversee further research on a splash pad and return findings to the council; the motion passed 5‑0. The minutes record the committee will work with Rollins, and that a separate meeting and consultation with Snyder Engineering about design and fundraising would be a likely next step.
Council did not set a timeline for the committee’s report at the meeting.
