Cache Valley's first splash pad has officially opened.
Located in Providence's Alma Leonhardt Park, activities at the pad began Saturday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a countdown to the day's first splash.
Seven-year-old Miles Eck had the honors of turning on the pad and being the first to run through it. After several minutes, Miles ran off the pad soaking wet and saying he had fun.
For former Providence Mayor Alma H. Leonhardt, that is what parks are all about: Kids having fun.
"I'm thrilled with it," Leonhardt said of the splash pad. "You come up here and listen to these kids just screaming and laughing, and I've never seen so many kids have so much fun in my life."
Leonhardt, for whom the park was named, gave the countdown to the park's first official splash as Providence City Councilmembers and Mayor Ron Liechty stood in the middle of the pad. After water began to shoot out of the concrete pad, most of the city officials managed to get off the pad without getting too wet, while kids ran, crawled and sat on the water spouts.
Councilman Dave Low said the park has been in the works for a couple of years, and he is glad to finally see it completed.
"It's just a beautiful, awesome place," he said.
The pad is 1,200 square feet and has 63 spouts. Referencing the Las Vegas water show, Low joked, "It's not the Bellagio," but he said the city is proud of the splash pad.
"We like what we've done here, and we hope we can bless the whole community with it," he said.
Liechty said the park opened privately two weeks ago. In that time, the park has already seen visitors from Brigham City and Preston.
Liechty, who managed to run off the pad before getting wet Saturday morning, said he's been to the park with his family.
"They just love it," he said, adding it's "always a little surprise" where the water will come from and when.
Randy Eck, Providence public works director, said nearly 5 gallons of water are used per minute. Water is not being recycled, he said, adding that they are considering capturing the water.
Eck, whose son Miles opened the pad Saturday, said it took about a week and a half to prepare the area for construction. The pad was purchased from a company in Texas, and once it arrived it only took a few days to pour the concrete and set up the nozzles.
"In three days, we were splashing," Eck said.
Low said the pad was financed by an anonymous donor.
The city will continue improving the area, Low said, possibly adding picnic tables and more benches.
"It was built to be used and built to have fun. We hope the valley comes and enjoys it," he said.
The splash pad is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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