Today, Assemblymember Monica P. Wallace (D-Lancaster) announced that she has secured $115,000 in state funding for updates to the Village of Lancaster splash pad. Located on Richmond Avenue near Como Elementary School, the improvements to the splash pad will provide a safer and more comfortable environment for kids and families to enjoy.

“During the hot summer months, generations of Lancaster families have enjoyed the splash pad to cool off and have fun,” said Wallace. “I’m glad that I was able to secure funding to facilitate much needed updates and safety improvements, giving families peace of mind while kids enjoy the water. I’m delighted to work with Mayor Schroeder to ensure that current and future Lancaster residents will have a fun and safe way to beat the summer heat.”

“For over 50 years, the splash pad has become a beloved place for friends and families to enjoy summer days,” said Village of Lancaster Mayor William Schroeder. “In partnership with Assemblymember Wallace, we’ll now be able to greatly improve the splash pad, making it more comfortable and safer by adding a shelter, barriers to protect the area from road traffic, and tables and benches for families to enjoy. In addition, we’ll be erecting a sign to pay tribute to former Lancaster Mayor Ronald Hadsall by naming the park after him. I appreciate Assemblymember Wallace’s dedication to the residents of the Village of Lancaster and for working with us to ensure important projects like this have the resources to move forward.”

The project will include: the pouring of a new concrete pad; the addition of a shelter with benches and tables for parents to relax while kids use the splash pad; construction of a paved off-street parking area; the installation of barriers, such as boulders, near the road to shield the park from vehicle traffic; bicycle racks; and a sign designating the park as the Ronald L. Hadsall Memorial Park, in honor of former Lancaster Mayor Ronald Hadsall. The village will also install an automatic shut-off valve that will operate on a timer, ensuring that unnecessary water will not be used outside of the park’s daily hours of operation and saving village crews from having to manually turn on and off the water daily.

Work on the splash pad has already begun and is expected to take a few months to complete. The splash pad will remain open during construction. The splash pad is open seven days a week from 9:00 A.M. to sunset, and is open to all town and village of Lancaster residents with a valid Parks and Recreation photo identification card. Non-residents may use town and village Parks and Recreation facilities for a $5.00 cash fee per person per visit.