Splash pad taking shape, June opening planned

Scheduled to open in Platte City 

It’s taking shape.

Some of the features for a much-anticipated recreational venue in Platte City have been installed.

Platte City officials say a city-owned and operated splash pad is still scheduled to open sometime in June. The water attraction is going in at the former site of the Rising Star Elementary School, 1009 Second Street in Platte City.

“That is still the plan (the opening in June),” said DJ Gerht, city administrator, this week. “Contractors feel confident that they will have everything completed in time.”

Gehrt said the splash pad will open with a temporary bathroom facility. The permanent bathroom and shelters will be installed after the park closes for the season in the fall.

Many of the above-ground features of the splash pad were installed last week. More features will be installed by the contractor as the items arrive, Gehrt said.

There will also be a playground on site. Playground equipment originally was scheduled to arrive this week but on Tuesday Gehrt said the material delivery date has been pushed back 30 days (from May 1 to June 1).

If the June 1 delivery date is true, the park “will still hopefully open before the end of June,” Gehrt told The Landmark Tuesday.

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.

Earlier construction components began at the splash park in recent months. Much of the early work consisted 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.

AB Creative is the contractor for the inclusive playground area.

“Once the material is on site, they have a four to six week construction period. Play area 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, Gehrt explained.

Another 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 soon 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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