By Kelly Youngblood
It’s time to add another item to your summer fun bucket list– a new splash pad is opening soon in Mahomet, just in time for those long, hot sunny days.
A grand opening for the Bill & Lisa Peithmann Splash Pad, located at Barber Park, 703 S. McDougal Road, will be held on Friday, June 2 at 6 p.m. The event will include music, food trucks and more. Check out the Mahomet Parks and Recreation Facebook page for more details.
The event will also be an opportunity to unveil the new inclusive playground, additional pathways and amphitheater at Barber Park.
“We feel these new amenities will greatly improve the quality of life for our residents and greatly enhance the experience for existing park users,” said Dan Waldinger, director of the Mahomet parks and recreation department. “These new amenities will improve our physical and psychological health, strengthen our community, and make our village and neighborhoods more attractive places to live and work.”
The department initiated a comprehensive planning process for Barber Park in 2018, utilizing information gathered from previous plans, studies and community surveys. A splash pad was part of a larger project that included the addition of the new playground, paths and amphitheater.
Waldinger said the splash pad is “full of fun events separated into three different age-appropriate zones.” Highlights include a giant dump bucket and an interactive water table.
“There is something for everyone,” Waldinger said.
The total cost of the project was about $1 million and was funded by a combination of grants, fundraising, sponsorship, naming rights and Village of Mahomet tax funds.
The splash pad will be free and open to the public from Monday-Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Labor Day. It will also be available to rent for private parties or events. For more information about rental fees and hours, you can check out this link.
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