City Adds Benches, Lighting, Fencing To Splash Park

With the opening just weeks away, the city of Sullivan has finished up more projects at the Route 66 Splash Park.

Four benches have been added, new lighting has been installed and the entire area is now fenced in. City Administrator JT Hardy said additional privacy fencing will be placed around the pump station and signage will be installed, but the park is ready for its 2019 debut.

Hardy said pending weather, it will open in early May. 

The benches are set up to give space for wheelchairs and handicap accessibility. Hardy said the splash park was a hit for the short period it was open last year.

“We received lots of positive feedback,” he said. “It’s free for use, which is always a big plus and it was well-used in that period of time. We got a lot of rave reviews.”

The park opened in early September, though the city was hoping to have it ready sooner. Delays due to manufacturing demands caused shipping issues. The Sullivan City Council also wanted the area to be surrounded by artificial grass, providing a better surface and reducing wet and muddy spots.

Other Projects

Spring is in full swing and the city is keeping busy with other parks and recreation projects.

Sullivan will soon have sidewalks on both sides of Fisher Street, which runs along Sunny Jim Bottomley Park and the city pool.

Hardy said the city received a grant the Missouri Department of Transportation to have the sidewalks put in.

Another upcoming project includes the construction of sidewalks from Main Street from the railroad tracks to the community center.