A new amenity is on its way to Dade City.
The Dade City Commission on March 28 approved the designs for a splash pad that will be featured at the start of the Hardy Trail, next to the town’s visitor center.
City Manager Leslie Porter told The Laker/Lutz News construction will begin in mid-April for the fun and family friendly splash pad, which is expected to be completed by next January.
“I am thrilled to see the splash pad moving forward,” Porter said. “This is a great opportunity to provide a family friendly activity. It’s vital the city provides avenues for children to engage with each other and have fun in a safe environment.
“Currently, there are limited opportunities in Dade City for youth to expend their energy,” she added. “The community looks to neighboring areas for similar amenities and soon this will be right next door.”
The splash pad will be located next to The Spoke, Dade City’s Market Place and Visitor City, which sits at the start of the Hardy Trail, at 37800 Church Ave.
The splash pad project is budgeted at $1.2 million, using American Rescue Plan Act funding.The projected cost of the splash pad is $800,000, while $557,720.16 has been earmarked to build the adjoining restroom/mechanical room.
At roughly 2,500 square feet, the project will be built by Borregard Construction and include such water features as Aqua Dumping Bucket, Aqua Water Castle, aqua features such as jellyfish, a crab and butterfly and even an Aqua Kumquat Tree, as a nod to the city’s fruit — celebrated in its annual festival.
Prior to a final design, the City Commission asked residents to vote on water features.
“We placed display boards in the lobby of City Hall for voting,” Porter said. “Over one hundred second graders from Pasco Elementary voted as part of a field trip. The overwhelming favorite features are the dump bucket and the crab.”
Porter said she expects the splash pad to get a more formal name — and possibly a sponsorship.
She said care was taken in choosing where the splash pad should go.
“This location was chosen because of its proximity to downtown and the Hardy Trail,” Porter said. “The park is large enough to accommodate the splash pad, inclusive playground, amphitheater and more.
“The splash pad will be the first of several new amenities the city plans to build in the new park in the future to create an active community space,” she added.
“But the splash pad has been an anticipated amenity for many years here in Dade City and we are very excited to see it finally come to be.”
Published 05, 2023
