New Splash Pad Opens Just in Time for Summer Heat
By: Rusty Wise – Wise News Network
Cherryville, NC (WNN) – A cool amusement treat is now open on one of the hottest days in 2024! The Cherryville Splash Pad, located in the Ballard Municipal Recreation Park at 101 S Rudisill St., opened today, July 5th, 2024, for all to enjoy for free. Yes, it is free for everyone. ย
The baseball-themed splash pad measures 3,000 square feet and is entirely computer-automated. A red pole in the center of the pad can be touched, starting a preset sequence where the water switches to different splash stations. After a preset time, if no one touches the start button, the splash pad will turn off, saving electricity and water.
The most prominent splash feature, and probably the most anticipated to get you wet, is the large baseball that dumps water after filling up. There are also shaded benches in the corners for parents and spectators to sit, primarily out of the water coverage. (Writers note: I sat at the corner and did not get wet near the “dumping baseball”)
Q&R Construction, a Cherryville company, built the splash pad. Quinton Hollar of Q&R has been in charge of the $350,000 project. The City of Cherryville is using recreation funds as part of the agreement with Piedmont Lithium for recreation at no cost to taxpayers.
Also, the splash pad will be available for special hours and events, according to Cherryville City Manager Brian Dalton. “If you’re going to rent it for a birthday party, you would rent it probably in two-hour increments, say 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. We’ve not come up with a for-sure cost to rent it for a birthday party yet because we want to see what our cost will be regarding water usage for, say, a two-hour period and then determine that,” stated Dalton. Another future structure is a shaded shelter-type area planned for the fall where events could be held adjacent to the splash pad. More details on renting and day and hour operating times will be available on the City of Cherryville’s website in the coming days.
For safety, fencing surrounds the splash pad and a fence dividing the current Cherryville/YMCA pool. There is a cost to use the pool for non-YMCA members, which is $5 cash only.
The new splash will be a hit for citizens of Cherryville, visitors, and surrounding neighbors. The American Legion State Baseball Tournament will be in Cherryville, with events starting on July 18th. According to Mayor Pro-Tem Jill Puitt, this will be an excellent way for the visiting kids to cool off and play. Puitt also stated: “We have had so many parents asking for more things their children could do.ย That’s one of the things that Brian and the council have all worked on.”
Want to go? The Cherryville Splash will be open tomorrow, Saturday, July 6th, from Noon to 6 PM and at least every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday this summer from Noon to 6 PM to coordinate with the adjacent pool hours. According to City Manager Brian Dalton, the city hopes to open the splash pad on more days this summer. With heat index temperatures already reaching well over 100 degrees, visiting Cherryville’s new free splash pad will be a refreshing, cool trip.
More on the Cherryville Splash Pad in the video and article below:
Cherryville Splash Pad
101 S Rudisill St.
Cherryville NC 28021
Hours as of July 5th, Thurs-Saturday Noon-6 PM
Cost: No Charge
For more information and rules: https://www.cityofcherryville.com/cityparks
Call Cherryville City Hall 704-435-1700
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