Several residents expressed concerns about security and parking, but most thought it was a good idea for the city to construct the splash pads for neighborhood children.
Timmer said the splash pads are built on concrete bases and have several play structures that shoot and squirt water. He said the splash pads would be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the water would be turned on and off by a timer. The project also includes the construction of a restroom that would be open during operating hours, he said.
He said the goal is to have the splash pads planned for Lindenwald and the former Wilson pool site on the west side opened by June 1
Timmer that each splash pad could cost between $225,000 and $300,000, depending on the types of spray devices wanted for each splash pad and costs would be paid through private donations and grants and possibly through the Community Development Block Grant the city receives each year.
“There won’t be any tax increases,” Timmer said. “We want to bring back the neighborhood’s spirit.
Hamilton City Manager Joshua Smith said there has already been one private donation of $100,000 that has been made for the Lindenwald project. He said the remaining $500,000 for the Lindenwald and Wilson project would be through private fund-raising efforts and some federal grant funding. Smith said there have been several “soft commitments” that have been made.
“I feel pretty confident we’ll get to that mark by this fall,” Smith said. “At the end of the day, the indication from City Council is to provide recreational opportunities to young families.”
Splash pads are more economical than operating swimming pools because of the lower overhead costs for maintenance and there is no need to hire lifeguards and other seasonal employees. Other communities such as Middletown and Fairfield also operate splash pads for children to cool off during the summer.
“It’s a good idea to put it in this park,” said Savannah Davis of Hayes Street. “We would use this almost daily. Right now we have to travel to Fairfield or Oxford.”
Davis said she played in Benninghofen Park when she was growing up and wants to be able to bring her children there.
“This is the most centrally located park for people to walk to,” she said.
Gwen Flege, who resides on Clinton Street and is a longtime Lindenwald resident, agreed with Davis that Benninghofen Park was “a great place” for a splash pad.
“I don’t think there will be any problems and I hope we get it,” she said. “This was my park when I was growing up. Back then they called this ‘Termite Park,’” she said.
Another longtime resident, Merle Bustle of Brough Avenue, said it was great that the city was going to build a splash pad in the neighborhood and said he no concerns about the proposed project.
“This would be the perfect place to build it,” he said. “I grew up in this park. I used to come here after dinner and play until it got dark.”
“I thought this was a very productive meeting,” said James Brown, PROTOCOL co-chairman.
Brown said the vote taken Wednesday would be added to votes made on the group’s Facebook page and a survey that will be mailed out in the next city utility billing to residents.
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