On Second Street in Platte City
Water enthusiasts take note: A splash pad is scheduled to open in Platte City in June. And a 100 ft. long zip line–which is dependent upon receiving a county park grant–and two shelter houses are eventually planned for the site as well.
The splash pad is going in at now city-owned property that is the former site of Rising Star Elementary School, 1009 Second Street in Platte City.
“The splash part should be open for use in June, although it will have a temporary bathroom. Permanent shelters and bathrooms are planned for this fall,” DJ Gehrt, city administrator, said this week.
Construction has begun at the splash park, though much of it to this point consists of below ground utilities and of valves, fittings, pumps, and controls for the splash pad features.
Reconstruction of the access road (between Fourth and Second Streets) and construction of the concrete sidewalks and walkways was largely completed in October.
The work on the below ground splash pad valves, etc. began in January but stopped the second week of February due to the cold weather. Work resumed as soon as there was extended decent weather, Gehrt said.
“They remain on track to complete their work in May. They need warmer weather to pour the pad part of the splash pad,” he explained.
Another component of the project, which is known as Rising Star Park, is an inclusive play area. AB Creative is the contractor for this aspect. Gehrt said playground features were ordered in mid-Janary with a 10-12 week order delivery period, so all playground features should arrive by mid-April.
“Once the material is on site, they have a four to six week construction period. Play areas construction should be complete by late May or early June,” Gehrt remarked.
“Above ground construction on the play area will go pretty fast once the material arrives,” he said.
A fourth component of the park project will be city facilities to include a bathroom and shelter house. For this, the city is seeking a county partnership grant. If approved for a grant from Platte County, the permanent shelter and restrooms construction will start as son as possible after Labor Day, the city administrator explained.
The grant application requests $177,600 from the new Platte County Parks Partnership program. With a city match of $65,700, the total grant project is $243,600.
Gehrt said the grant “would complete phase one of Rising Star Park by funding improved restrooms, two permanent shelter houses, a 100 ft. long zip line and will renovate the asphalt school play area to add additional parking spots.”
Gehrt emphasized that as this is a new grant program by the county, it is difficult to determine the likelihood of receiving a grant award.
“The parks fund will be the primary source of matching funds, although the transportation fund, CIP fund and general fund balances are available as secondary funding sources,” he explained.
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