In 2020, a group of people in Newton started the idea of having a splash pad built in a vacant city-owned lot near downtown. On Friday, a ribbon-cutting was held to celebrate the opening of that proposed splash pad at the corner of West 3rd Street North and North 3rd Avenue West. Newton Main Street, headed up by Executive Director Erin Yeager, agreed to raise $400,000 for the project. Newton Parks Operations Superintendent Nick Cummins says without the private involvement and Newton Main Street, the splash pad wouldn’t exist.

“It’s been a long process with a lot of people involved. Especially Erin Yeager with Newton Main Street and the private fundraising, and then the partnership between that group and the City. Just to finally see it come together is great!”

Cummins noted the project was delayed by supply chain issues. He calls the splash pad with 35 spray elements a basic system that he believes will be a big draw. It’s located between Newton’s downtown and Legacy Plaza. The area it encompasses has been named Harmony Park.