by Geoff Fox
After a number of years without a pool and talk of getting a splash pad built in Widmeyer Park, the wait is over. Hancock’s town officials opened the town’s new splash pad on the footprint of the former pool.
The splash pad opened for use just after 5 p.m. on Friday, August 16. People wanting to get in began lining up just before 4:30 p.m.
About 110 people showed up to christen the new splash pad and explore its features.
Former mayor Dan Murphy first brought up the idea for a splash pad during a 2018 town meeting. That meeting took place on August 8, 2018… six years and eight days before the splash pad opened.
When it was time for the splash pad to officially open last Friday evening, Councilman David Kerns gave those who were waiting a few guidelines and rules for the splash pad.
Those 13 rules have been posted on both sides of the entrance to the bathhouse and restrooms. A 14th rule was later added on social media.
When people finally made it inside, the water was turned on and kids of all ages were headed onto the blue-coated concrete to play in the water.
Kids were spraying each other with the water cannons, sliding down the wet slide, and getting water dumped on them from the different buckets on the pad.
For those who were a little on the hungry side or wanted a quick refresh of energy, there were hot dogs and chips available outside the splash pad.
The splash pad will be open daily from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. until the end of the season, the date of which has yet to be determined.
The cost for the splash pad was $600,000 plus what the town has put into it with utilities, said town officials.
Sandstone rocks that were donated by U.S. Silica surround the pad. There are plans for a fence similar to the one around the pickleball courts to go around the splash pad, benches, and a gazebo off to the side.
Construction of the splash pad began with a groundbreaking on June 6 when town and county officials held a groundbreaking ceremony. The following morning, a crew from Splash Pads USA began tearing up the ground for the splash pad.
