Youngstown to unveil 1st 2 splash pads at parks Wednesday

YOUNGSTOWN — The first two splash pads in city parks are opening Wednesday.

The pads, which shoot and spray water, are at John White Park at 2300 Kimmel St. on the East Side and Homestead Park at 829 Dewey Ave. on the South Side.

“They will be great additions to the parks,” said Robert Burke, the city’s park and recreation director. “We’re excited to have them operating.”

The two splash pads cost about $140,000 in total with Vortex, a company from Williamston, Mich., providing and installing the materials.

Also, the city received a $35,000 grant from the Hine Memorial Fund, which is overseen by the Youngstown Foundation. That money went toward building sidewalks near the location compliant with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, electrical and plumbing work.

“There’s no standing water, so kids in wheelchairs can go right into the water,” Burke said.

Hine provides money for therapeutic services and projects for children with medically diagnosed disabilities in Youngstown.

The splash pad projects finished in November 2015 and will be turned on Wednesday.

For the complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com