Construction of a splash pad at Allen Park has begun. P-J photo by John Whittaker

Two splash pads in Jamestown are expected to be open shortly after Memorial Day.

Jamestown City Council members discussed the projects at Allen and Jackson Taylor parks during their work session Monday. Regina Blackman, D-Ward 3, said during the Public Works Committee meeting she hoped the Jackson Taylor Park splash pad would be operational for the city’s annual Juneteenth Festival.

“As far as the splash pads, they are on schedule,” Randy Daversa R-At Large said. “From what Mark (Roetzer) has talked about, they should be up and running. Regina had expressed interest in hopefully that we’re going to have the one at Jackson Taylor done by when Juneteenth happens, which is (June 14-15). Mark thinks we’re on schedule to have that done by then, which would be nice or that to happen down there for that event. The other one at Allen Park, I looked at it the other day. They’re doing very well.”

There was a delay last year getting the splash pad equipment delivered for the $170,000 project, which is being paid for with American Rescue Plan Act money. Splash pads in city parks have been on the agenda since 2019, when former Mayor Sam Teresi proposed the idea. Former Mayor Eddie Sundquist included the splash pads in his plan to spend ARPA funding. Equipment to actually build the splash pads was delivered late last year after a delivery delay, but it was too late in the season for installers to do concrete work.

That concrete work is ready to begin soon.

“For the splash pads at Allen Park, they’re basically ready for concrete,” said Mark Roetzer, interim city public works director. “The installer has worked there for about a week and a half. They moved to Jackson Taylor Park (Monday), so in a week and a half they should be ready for concrete and then they’re going to do both at the same time.”