The Royalton Splash Park is marking a major milestone this year: its 10th anniversary. The community-driven project, spearheaded by local residents including retired teacher Jerry Goedderz and Royalton Mayor Brenda Weiss-Pesta, has become a beloved gathering spot for families across the region.
Goedderz and Pesta, who were both co-chairs on the committee that turned the splash park from an idea into a reality, reflected on the journey that led to the splash park’s creation and the lasting impact it has had on the town.
“This is a very quiet neighborhood, and to hear (the children) screaming is just wonderful,” Goedderz said. “It’s music to your ears. It was such a fun project, something the town can be very proud of. There’s a lot of little towns like ours that would like to have something like this, and this kind of shows them that it can be done.”
The splash park’s origins trace back to 2009, when the Initiative Foundation sponsored a community visioning session in Royalton. Residents identified three priorities: Building a diner in the city, cleaning up Highway 10 and building a splash pad. Over time, the first two projects “fizzled out,” but the last one stayed alive thanks to the efforts of people like Pesta, who had young children at the time, championing the idea.
At the time, Pesta was not a part of the Royalton government, later joining the Royalton City Council and eventually becoming mayor in fall 2021. Because the idea of using taxpayer dollars to pay for a splash park was unpopular with many Royalton citizens, the $275,000 project was paid for entirely through other avenues, especially donations. Some tax dollars go into maintenance of the park, but it is significantly less than the cost of getting the park opened up. Goedderz said donations ranged from thousands of dollars to small amounts, such as one for just $1.50, but he said every bit helped the project reach the finish line.
“I knew Little Falls had been talking about it and a lot of communities were trying to get it off the ground,” Pesta said. “I thought it would be great for Royalton to have something like this. And so I wanted to be part of that group.”
Goedderz and Pesta co-chaired the splash park committee, navigating the challenges of fundraising and garnering community support. They recall the early days being particularly difficult, as many residents were skeptical about the project’s feasibility.
“It really went slow at first, because nobody in town would but a few of us believed it could happen,” Goedderz said. “You’re talking hundreds of thousands of dollars. It just got hard to raise money. But by hook or crook, it seemed like we made it to the top (of a hill), and then it was so much easier going over the other side.”
The determined duo refused to give up. They organized a variety of fundraisers, from garage sales to large donations, slowly chipping away at the project’s price tag. The city also contributed funds from a park dedication account, and a local bank provided crucial financial support.
The splash park officially opened on June 29, 2014, to the delight of local families. Its grand opening ceremony took place on July 12, 2014. Over the past decade, the site has undergone various improvements, including the addition of a beloved pirate ship play structure dedicated to Levi Popp, a young boy who tragically drowned in a pool in 2015.
“We tried to make this as maintenance-free as we could, because the city maintenance people have enough to do,” Goedderz said. “They do an unbelievable job. This place is something to be proud of all the time.”
As the splash park celebrates its 10th anniversary, Goedderz and Pesta are already looking to the future. They envision adding more shade structures and exploring the possibility of swapping out different water features to keep the experience fresh for visitors.
The Royalton Splash Park’s success story serves as an inspiration for other small towns seeking to create similar community hubs. Goedderz and Pesta’s perseverance and the town’s collective effort have transformed a once-forgotten cornfield into a vibrant, family-friendly oasis.
As Pesta and Goedderz began to leave the Royalton Splash Park, a father and his young children parked and got out of their car. The children sprinted toward the park, screaming in delight as they played in the water. Thanks to the dedication of people like Pesta and Goedderz, they hope the park will be full of the sounds of delighted children for plenty of more decades to come.
The Royalton Splash Park is located at 1014 Plattewood Drive, between North Birch Street and North Evergreen Street. It is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the summer months.
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