As soon as 5-year-old Collin Necaise activated the splash pad at Friendship Park in Picayune, several other children’s eyes lit up in excitement at the sight of the city’s newest attraction and quickly joined him.
City officials and former members of Pearl River County Partners in Leadership held a ribbon cutting Wednesday to celebrate the opening of the splash pad.
Last year, PRC Partners in Leadership members Kelli Beech, Chad Dorn, Regina Pearson and Daryl Smith decided to support a splash pad community project, Beech said in an April 2015 interview.
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.
“It’s been a long process, but so worth it when you see the kids playing on it,” Beech said. “We couldn’t have done it without the Lower Pearl River Valley Foundation, who supported the bulk of it, and support from the community and local businesses.”
The decorative handprint tiles have not been installed around the splash pad yet, but will be displayed in the months to come, Beech said.
The splash pad features a bucket post, short shooter with geyser, numerous gushers, a flag sprayer, a short circle spray post, super splash and super soakers.
Picayune Parks and Recreation Director Trevor Adam said the addition of the splash pad is a step in the right direction for the community.
“We are grateful to the PRC Leadership group for presenting this project and allowing us to add it to our park,” Adam said. “I want to move Friendship Park forward and continue updating things around the park. The splash pad adds another family dynamic to our park.”
Picayune City Manager Jim Luke said he applauds the efforts and hard work put forth by those involved to improve the quality of life for the children and parents of Picayune.
Collin Necaise was the first child to use the splash pad. His mother Misty said it will provide him with a much-needed way to cool off during the summer months.
“We love it,” she said. “Now we don’t have to go to McLeod Park anymore. We have somewhere close by to come out, get cool and play. Collin has Cystic Fibrosis and is unable to play during the summer because it’s too hot, now he can play and cool off.”
Christie Prince and her 5-year-old son Adam Prince soon joined the crowd gathered at the splash pad. Prince is a Jehovah’s Witness and spends her mornings visiting homes.
“I’m going to be here every day,” she said. “I will keep a change of clothes for him in the car. We will travel door-to-door in the morning, then come out and play in the afternoon.”
The splash pad is open seven days a week from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. When school is out for summer, it will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.