MOUNT VERNON — It took a few years to work out the details, but a splash pad and library pavilion could become part of Riverside Park’s amenities as early as this fall.
“The splash pad was the number one item that was requested when we did the parks master planning roughly two years ago,” Council member Amber Keener said. “We have been very fortunate in having local organizations who were interested in partnering on these two projects.”
Ariel Corporation will fund the pirate-themed splash pad, which will be named in honor of the late Hunter Wright. The Public Library of Mount Vernon and Knox County will donate funding for the pavilion.
Auditor Terry Scott said the pavilion and splash pad are projects that will lead to a lot of activities in the park.
“The splash pad is something that is going to accent the Riverside Park area and facilities within that area as well,” he said. “ … The pavilion and splash pad are actually a continuation of what’s already going to be there.”
He noted that with Shelmar Park on Marion and Madison streets, the pavilion and splash pad “would be a continuity of all of that coming together.”
Jamie Lynn Smith Fletcher, development director and writing program manager for the library system, said the library board approved the project at its June meeting.
“We are looking to have an expanded space for more family friendly library programs that invite our community members to gather and enjoy educational enrichment and entertainment events that … are always free and open to the public,” she said.
Exercise and dance classes, outdoor music lessons, book talks, cooking, foraging, public meetings, youth summer reading program, and author talks are a few of the activities planned.
“This will allow us to extend our footprint to Riverside Park, which particularly favors the west end,” she said.
The splash pad will be next to the Rotary Playground in the area of the fountain. It will be ADA accessible and sensory-friendly. The pavilion will sit back from the splash pad.
Keener, who chairs the city’s Parks and Lands Committee, said a more specific cost estimate should be available by the end of July.
“We would like to be digging dirt by the fall,” she said.
Is Splash pad open?