Construction has begin on a long-anticipated Splash Pad Aquatic Park at the Cascades, located in Sparks Foundation County Park. Scheduled to be completed and open for use next summer, the finished product will include above-ground water spray features and a zero-depth surface that will be suitable for children of all ages.
Jackson County Parks Director Jeff Hovarter said he is enthusiastic about the opportunities that this project presents for park visitors.
“We are excited to get this project underway,” said Hovarter. “The splash pad is going to provide the community with a family-friendly experience that will add a whole new dimension to the Cascades.”
The project is being constructed adjacent to the Cascades Falls south entrance and will be built in two phases. Construction this year will include a new pump house and installation of the splash pad surfacing. In the spring of 2017, the play components will be added, and a grand opening will be planned for some time in late June. The County of Jackson awarded the construction contract to a locally owned and Jackson-based company, 5 Leprechauns LLC. Funding for the project is coming from a variety of private, non-profit, and public sources. The Champions Team of the Cascades, a group of citizens dedicated to preserving this community landmark, has raised nearly 90% of the total estimated project budget of $675,000.
For those wishing to support the Cascades, donations can be made to the Jackson Community Foundation (www.jacksoncf.org) by selecting the Fund Name “The Cascades Non Endowed Special Project Fund.”