Watering the Meadows: $200,000 donation will bring new splash pad to Dixon

DIXON – An anonymous donor wants to give the Park District up to $200,000 to build a bigger splash pad near Wooden Wonderland.

The donor heard about how the Park District and the city recently renewed a partnership aimed at creating a splash pad comparable to Splash Canyon Spray Park in Oregon, and agreed to pledge the funds for a splash pad in Meadows Park near Wooden Wonderland, according to a news release.

"We are so grateful for the generosity of this family and their passion to advance Dixon," district Executive Director Duane Long said. "This is so big for our community, and it is just the beginning of great things to come."

The project is estimated to cost about $300,000 and includes building the splash pad park with eight to 10 different water features, sun shades with seating areas, and restrooms, as well as paving the gravel parking lot near Wooden Wonderland.

The district and the city are hoping to raise the rest they will need through further donations, and they plan to reduce costs by doing much of the work in-house and working with local contractors on other savings.

The splash pad will fill a major void for water recreation activities, City Manager Danny Langloss said.

"We are excited to bring this project to life for the children of our community,” he said.

Mayor Li Arellano Jr., who has advocated for the splash pad partnership for the past 2 years, said Long being hired as the new executive director helped to launch the project. He started in the position earlier this month.

"With his appointment, the community is clearly entering a new era of cooperation between the city and the Park District," Arellano said. "Thanks to this generous donor, that era is launching with a fantastic new project that will bless countless young families."

The splash pad in Vaile Park was built in 2009 with about $35,000 in donations, and the city pays for the water it uses. The original long-term plan was to build splash pads in all corners of the city, but the finances weren't there to make it work.

The district recently installed a new water table at the Vaile Park splash pad after receiving a $10,000 donation from Carol Novak, who died in November, and her husband, Ken.

Long said they also hope to get more donations to make further improvements at the splash pad.

TO LEARN MORE

Call the Dixon Park District at 815-284-3306 or City Hall at 815-288-1485 to donate or for more information.