Hancock County’s first public splash pad is officially open at Vastwood Park, offering families a much-needed way to beat the heat this summer.
The new amenity was celebrated with a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, hosted by the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce and Fiscal Court.
“We’re glad it is completed,” said Judge-Executive Johnny Roberts. “Hancock County doesn’t have a public pool, and this is our first public splash pad, so we do think it’s a great addition to Vastwood Park.”
Roberts said the splash pad has already seen a strong turnout since quietly opening during the hottest week of the year.
“We’ve had really good crowds. I think the kids enjoy the cool water,” he said. “We’re very fortunate to have a park that has 400 acres and 20-plus campsites. Our boys’ baseball team and our girls’ softball team leave campus to come to the park and play their home games. So this just enhances what we consider an already great park.”
The new feature is also built with sustainability in mind, using a recirculation system to minimize water usage. Roberts said that was essential since the park doesn’t have its own water utility or sewer.
“Some of these flow systems could use two or three million gallons a month. We don’t do that. We treat and reuse the water, and everything’s going fine so far,” he said.
The project was years in the making, with some design delays along the way. But Roberts credited strong community partnerships for making it possible.
“We got a $200,000 Land and Water grant from the state, a $125,000 donation from Domtar, and $50,000 from Southwire,” Roberts said. “When companies step in and help along with public money, it makes these projects more doable.”
The splash pad project also included new bathroom facilities, a mechanical room, and added sidewalks. In total, the investment was approximately $1.25 million.
Looking ahead, Roberts said the county has received preliminary approval for another grant to upgrade playgrounds at the park, including adding inclusive features and larger structures.
“We always try to upgrade,” he said. “That’s the next item we’ll be working on.”
The splash pad is located within the heart of Vastwood Park and is open daily to the public.
