Fostoria getting splash pad in 2024

Groundbreaking on a new splash pad-soak park in Fostoria's City Park is scheduled for summer 2024, charitable organization Vision 2020 has announced.Vision 2020, a nonprofit that supports community initiatives, has raised $1,116,456 in donations, pledges and grants for the construction not only of a splash pad-soak park, but also an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant bath house with restrooms, according to a press release."We are so pleased with the tremendous support of this community project," said Don Mennel, volunteer fundraising chairperson. "The splash pad-soak park fundraising, planning and construction demonstrate the success achieved when public/private partnerships are used to achieve a vision for the youth of Fostoria."Fundraising began in May to demolish the dilapidated swimming pool at City Park, as well as the bath house, slide and concession stand, with the intent of replacing them with the splash pad-soak park.With initial cost estimates at $550,000, Vision 2020 set out to raise $200,000 from private donations, to be combined with a $150,000 allocation from the 2024 budget and $100,000 from the Greater Fostoria Community Foundation.Vision 2020 collected $74,686 in local donations, with $35,000 in multiyear pledges still coming in. Vision 2020 also secured grants of $446,770 from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, $25,000 from the Findlay Hancock County Community Foundation, $25,00 from the Terhune Foundation, $10,000 from the Henry H. Geary Foundation and $10,000 from the Andersons Foundation.Poggemeyer Engineering/Kleinfelder is assisting with the project and has worked with Vision 2020 and city of Fostoria leadership to select a theme and tentative design, with the goal of project completion next summer."The splash pad is an example of what can be accomplished when various entities, individuals and businesses work together for a community project," Fostoria Mayor Eric Keckler said. "I am excited to see this project come to fruition in 2024."