ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – It may finally feel like winter, but Escanaba’s Recreation Department has its sights set on a summer project.
The Webster Wading Pool provided relief in the winter months for more than four decades. However, that is no longer the case.
“During the last several years, it’s been a maintenance nightmare,” said Recreation Director Kim Peterson. “Back in 1983, the City of Escanaba took some grant dollars and put the shelter house there and an ice rink, so we had to maintain that area as a park. So if we were to take out the Webster Wading Pool, we’d still need an activity there to consider it a park.”
The Recreation Department decided to put a splash park in its place, which would be operational in the summer from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
“It’ll be sensor-activated, so the water will not be ongoing unless you step on the splash park pad itself,” Peterson explained. “We’re looking at some shooting sprays. It’s not going to be anything elaborate. Unfortunately, those come with a high price tag and it’s more attractive for vandalism. It’ll be a lot of sprayers and just a way for the kids to cool off.”
The city secured a DNR Trust Fund grant for the splash park in 2021.
“During that time, COVID happened, so we weren’t able to get bids,” said Peterson.
With the project deadline set for this July—with one extension available if needed—administrators are now sending bid work to the DNR for approval.
The project’s financial situation has also changed since 2021.
“The City of Escanaba doesn’t have an engineer on staff anymore,” said Peterson. “We had to contract with C2AE, which is additional funds, and since inflation has increased so much, we might have had this bigger splash park area which now might be scaled back, depending how the dollars come in.”
Fortunately, several community organizations have donated to the project.
“We’ve had donations from the Community Foundation, Hannahville 2%, Kobasic Foundation, so we’ve had a lot of additional funds that way and we’re continuing to look for those funds,” Peterson said.
Peterson is hopeful that the splash park will be completed by the July deadline. She believes it will be a great asset to Delta County.
“We don’t have anything like this,” she said. “The neighboring communities don’t have anything like this. The Municipal Beach is on one side of town, and we’ll have the splash park on the other side of town. I just think it’s something new and exciting that we can add to the amenities in Escanaba.”
