After years of planning, fundraising, and construction, the wait is finally over.
The Village of Russells Point will officially celebrate the grand opening of its new splash pad with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon.
The project has been more than five years in the making.
Construction officially began in early March with a groundbreaking ceremony that drew dozens of community members despite temperatures hovering around 25 degrees.
Village leaders had hoped to have the splash pad open by Memorial Day, but a wet spring pushed construction back a few weeks.
Now, just ahead of the Independence Day holiday, the splash pad is ready to welcome families.
The splash pad was funded entirely through local grassroots fundraising efforts, with more than $165,000 raised by businesses, organizations, and community members.
Joan Hinterschied, who spearheaded the project, has called the splash pad a dream come true for the village.
Mayor John Huffman said the new attraction is about more than just providing a place for children to cool off—it will also bring families together and attract more visitors to the Indian Lake area.
Saturday’s celebration will feature the official ribbon cutting, free hot dogs, chips, and cookies while supplies last, a benefit raffle supporting Parks Kid Craft events, and the Sips Happens Coffee Truck.
Families are encouraged to bring their swimsuits and enjoy the new ADA-compliant splash pad.
What started as an idea several years ago has become one of Russells Point’s newest attractions, thanks to the determination of local volunteers and overwhelming community support.
