Galesburg families will have a new splash pad to cool off at this summer. A nature-themed water play area at Cooke Park is on track to open by June, following the City Council’s unanimous approval of a $323,000 construction contract Monday.
The contract was awarded to Henley Group LLC of Davenport, Iowa, which proposed a Vortex brand splash pad in a nature theme featuring more than 15 water features, including a garden bug, butterflies, cascade loop, and spray loops.
The design includes designated areas for toddlers, families, and teens.
Don Miles, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Galesburg, said the splash pad will be the city’s third. The others are at Kiwanis and Rotary parks.
“This splash pad will complement the park by giving the community another site to visit, which should help spread usage more evenly,” Miles said.
Miles tells WGIL the Rotary splash pad has drawn strong interest since it opened.
“The Rotary pad has been very popular since its installation; we have numerous reservations for the shelter, often for birthday parties,” Miles said. “I see the same thing happening at Cooke.”
Miles said the restroom and shelter building — part of the first phase of Cooke Park improvements — is expected to be complete by the end of this week.
Pad construction should start as early as April and be completed by early or mid-June, according to Miles.
Three vendors submitted proposals. City staff and the Cooke Park Project Group selected Henley Group’s design as best meeting the project’s goals.
The splash pad is part of a broader Cooke Park improvement initiative funded in part by a $250,000 state grant and a $32,000 donation provided by the Galesburg Community Foundation . The total cost for the splash pad and perimeter fence is $323,000.