By David Slone
Times-Union
WINONA LAKE – The last day of school for many area children was Friday, and many of them ended up at the Winona Lake Limitless Park for the opening day party.
The two-hour event at the K21 Splash Pad featured music, food, giveaways and plenty of water..
Winona Lake Parks Department Director Holly Hummitch said, “We are just doing a Splash Pad opening party, kicking off summer fun! Last day of school, everybody is excited for that!”
She said it was just a good way to kick off the summer and have some fun.
“We have door prizes, we have cookies and cupcakes and juice boxes. There’s bubbles, leis, all sorts of fun. Having a little luau party,” Hummitch said as she put out some treats and helped kids sign up for the giveaways.
She was surprised at the number of people who showed up.
“I was wondering earlier if the weather would hold out because it was a little chilly this morning,” she stated.
This year was the first time the parks department has held a kickoff party.
“I’m trying to add a variety of new, fun, free events for the community. I’m all about giving back to the community, so we’re trying to add a variety of new things,” Hummitch said.
The Limitless Park will continue to grow over the next year or so.
“We are currently waiting on a signature from the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) for our half-million-dollar grant,” Hummitch said.
Kristie Maiers, Park Board president, said once they receive that signature for the Land Water Conservation Fund to help finish the park, they will award the bid to complete all of the additional park items. The Limitless Park will be wheelchair accessible.
“It’s just a matter of completing everything here,” she said.
They’re hoping to have at least 70% completed before the snow flies this year. Everything is hoped to be finished up by late February, so that by May 1 “we’re ready to go,” Maiers said.
A new pavilion to the southwest of the Splash Pad will be going up over the next 12 months, which is part of the Grossnickle Foundation and the Grossnickle Eye Center.
The K21 Splash Pad opened May 15, 2015. The K21 Health Foundation provided about $300,000 toward making it a possibility. Using filtered, recycled water, the splash pad features numerous types of water play for all ability levels.
