Newton’s Community Development Department says construction of the half-a-million dollar Downtown Spray Park and Gathering Space is now finished, ending an effort that began about four years ago. The final cost of the project is $566,838. Brothers Concrete of Des Moines built the facility after winning the construction contract in December of 2023. Newton Parks Operations Superintendent Nick Cummins says some finishing touches are still needed before the park’s official opening.

 “We are in the process of adding some landscaping and getting some supplies to be able to move that forward and it will be up and running before you know it.”

The project was originally started by a group of private citizens associated with the Newton Main Street Economic Vitality Committee, who wanted to get a park built on the vacant city-owned lot at 224 West 3rd Street North. The City of Newton then took over the design and construction aspects of the project in September of 2022.