Thursday, Picayune city officials, members of the Picayune Police Department, Kiwanis Club and Pearl River County Partners in Leadership broke ground at the site of the city’s first splash pad and celebrated the installation of a new wheelchair accessible swing at Friendship Park.
In an April interview, Splash Pad Project Chair for the Pearl River County Partners in Leadership, Kelli Beech, said this year her group chose to support a splash pad community project.
The group includes Chad Dorn, Regina Pearson and Daryl Smith.
The purchase of the splash pad was made possible by a grant from the Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation, donations from Picayune’s Kiwanis Club and PRC Partners in Leadership sponsored events, including penny fundraisers at local schools and through the sale of decorative tiles.
“The tiles, which will feature a child’s handprint or footprint, will be placed around the splash pad,” Dorn said.
The total cost for the splash pad package was $62,000, Dorn said.
According to the April interview with Beech, the city of Picayune will assume responsibility for its maintenance.
The splash pad will feature a bucket post, short shooter with geyser, numerous gushers, a flag sprayer, a short circle spray post, super splash and super soakers.
Currently, the company is in the process of building the pad off site, which takes about four to six weeks, Dorn said. After the features are constructed, the company will come to Picayune to install the city’s newest amenity.
Dorn said the splash pad is scheduled to have a spring or summer opening.
“It is an economical tool for the city,” Dorn said. “This will keep our hometown people here, instead of having them travel to other cities.”
On the other side of Kids Kingdom play area, 12-year-old Lily Reynolds waited to take her first ride on a swing Thursday evening.
Lily has septo optic dysplasia, which prevents her from walking and speaking, her mother, Amanda Reynolds, said.
The idea for the wheelchair accessible swing was brought to the attention of Picayune Police Department Capt. Theresa Milar by Det. Christa Groom and Picayune Mayor Ed Pinero.
“She sent me a picture of the swing and I told her this would be great,” Milar said.
During the summer, the Picayune Police Department hosted a summer camp for youth and a fundraiser.
“We originally wanted to raise money for The Pines and distribute food and gift certificates,” Milar said. “Which we did and included the swing.”
The department also hosted a Bowl-a-Thon and, for the event, children took pledges from family and community members, Milar said. A donation was made for each pin knocked down during the two games. Police officers, city officials and children bowled in the event.
The group raised $8,000. Two-thousand dollars went to residents at The Pines, while $6,000 was designated for the purchase of the swing. The Kiwanis Club also donated $2,500 toward the construction of the wheelchair accessible swing.
“Our little committee wanted to thank Eric Morris and his crew for the time and effort they spent installing this swing,” Milar said. “We hope that the parents bring their children and put it to good use.”
The swing is for the handicapped citizens of Pearl River County, she said, and there will be signage posted alerting people to that rule.
In a matter of seconds, Lily Reynolds was wheeled onto the swing. She had a big smile on her face as her mother pushed the swing.
Her father Chris Reynolds, who missed the celebration due to illness, said it’s a really nice swing.
“This is huge for Lily,” Amanda Reynolds said. “She has two younger sisters and when we go to the park, she’s only able to sit and watch. It’s a big thing.”