Case Community Park Splash Pad to reopen Friday
/The Rotary Super Splash Pad in Case Community Park will reopen to the public Friday, July 19th, for the first time since a flooded Arkansas River submerged the 120-acre grounds on May 22nd.
The city’s flagship park was under as much as seven feet of water in some areas for more than a week during the historic flooding that saw Keystone Dam outflows in excess of 300,000 cubic feet per second.
Hundreds of volunteers have invested countless hours in cleaning up the grounds and facilities over the past six weeks.
The BMX track is open after extensive dirt work and repairs. The soccer fields, biking/walking trail, disc golf course, boat ramp, skate park, and picnic shelters are also open.
While none of the actual playground equipment was damaged by the flood, the artificial turf beneath the equipment was ruined. The playgrounds areas are fenced off and will remain closed until new turf can be installed in the near future.
The restroom facilities and concession stands are all closed, but port-o-johns have been brought in for the short-term.
Parks Director Jeff Edwards says it will likely be several weeks before the playgrounds can reopen, and months before the restrooms and concession facilities are finished.
Formerly known as River City Park, Case Park underwent a $6.2 million renovation in 2016 thanks to Vision 2025 funding and a $2 million donation by local philanthropists Mike and Pat Case. It is located at 2500 South River City Park Road and is open from dawn till midnight.