City OKs construction of splash pad
Rendering of the Fitchburg Splash Pad. Courtesy of SAA Design Group.
Courtesy of SAA Design Group.
Courtesy of SAA Design Group.
Construction of a long-planned splash pad at McKee Farms Park can go ahead after the city gave its approval.
The council approved construction of the splash pad March 12, which means it should be open by July. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. on March 26 at McKee Farms Park.
The $655,000 project includes $170,000 from the Fitchburg Optimists Club, $235,000 from the City of Fitchburg, and $250,000 from Dane County.
Under the agreement with the county, Fitchburg will construct a road in the Town of Madison (which will eventually annexed by Fitchburg) in exchange for the $250,000 donation. The agreement was necessary because the county cannot legally pay for a road in a township.
Optimist member and project leader Joan Mohr said without that funding, "it would not have happened this year."
She said the group aims to keep fundraising to fund more water jets, shade structures, benches, bike racks, and other amenities.
"This is going to be such a great facility for children of all abilities, she said. "I am so proud that we can do this for all the kids."
Optimists are shooting for a July 4 grand opening.
*Victoria Vlisides contributed to this article
