Chisholm Kiwanis Splash Pad celebrated with grand opening

CHISHOLM—Members of the Chisholm Kiwanis Club were joined by several members of the community, including a number of kids to celebrate the grand opening of the Kiwanis Splash Pad last Thursday at Memorial Park in Chisholm.

At the ceremony last Friday, Shelly Lappi, Chisholm Kiwanis Vice President gave the welcome and provided a history of the project. Other speakers were Bridgit Maruska, Chisholm Parks, Trails and Recreation Director, and Travis Vake, a Kiwanis member and Chisholm City Councilor.

The splash pad is a legacy project for the Chisholm Kiwanis Club in commemoration with its 100th anniversary in 2020. In 2022 the club awarded a $50,000 grant from Kiwanis International 2022 Legacy of Play H20 contest. The competition was held in conjunction held in conjunction with the company Landscape Structures. The remainder of funding secured for the roughly $190,000 addition to the park is a combination of grants, donations and proceeds from fundraisers.

The City of Chisholm along with providing in-kind services has added to the initial scope and value of the project and with park benches, a water fountain and concrete work.

Maruska said additional improvements are in the works, including new playground equipment, removal of pea rock, and installation of rubber matting to make transitioning easier between the play area and splash pad.