After years of fundraising and planning, splash pad is now open 

The grand opening of the Barsness Park Splash Pad last Tuesday attracted  a large crowd and dozens of children ready to try out the new summer attraction.

Of course the weather cooperated too. It was a sun-drenched afternoon with temperatures hovering around 90 degrees when the ribbon was cut on the new splash pad and youngsters swarmed to the cool water spilling from buckets and spraying from different spouts. 

The addition of the splash pad to the park was a community effort, but three community members formed a committee and work tirelessly for years to raise the funds needed to completely fund the splash pad.  The City of Glenwood then agreed to have it installed in Barsness Park and to maintain the facility.  

The three committee members who raised the funds, participated in the design and installation were Anna Martinson, Amie Stark and Melissa Walerius.  All three were on hand and spoke briefly to the crowd awaiting the opening of the splash pad at 1 p.m. last Tuesday.  

“I want to start by thanking everyone in our community for their continued support of this project,” said Melissa Walerius.  “It was in the works for a long time and there were many times that we were unsure we would be able to make this happen. But with the tremendous support of our local businesses, community members, clubs and groups, the City of Glenwood, its staff and officials, we were able to bring this project to life.”

The crowd of parents, children and area residents  applauded the effort as a ribbon was cut and the water for the various devices on the splash pad started.

The local splash pad has three areas and has water activators as a water-saving plan, if only one area is being used, the water shuts off in the other areas.  The water is off if no one is using the splash pad.  The local design is lake-themed and features different water devices such as water cannons and a large bucket that fills and dumps water on children.  The splash pad is designed so that there is no standing-water and the concrete pad is broom-brushed for a non-slip surface.