Ribbon Cutting Held for St. Cloud Commons All-Inclusive Splash Pad
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (Oct. 15, 2020) – The Greater Huntington Park & Recreation District, American Water Charitable Foundation, National Recreation & Park Association and West Virginia American Water announced today the ribbon cutting of an all-inclusive splash pad at St. Cloud Commons in Huntington, West Virginia. The ribbon cutting comes after the Greater Huntington Park & Recreation District received a $250,000 Building Better Communities grant last fall from the American Water Charitable Foundation.
“We are so thrilled to see this all-inclusive splash pad come to completion,” said Kathy McKenna, interim director of the Greater Huntington Park & Recreation District. “This project is the first of its kind and would not have been possible without the generous support of the American Water Charitable Foundation and the coordination of the National Recreation & Park Association. Although COVID-19 restrictions slowed construction and prohibited a summer opening, we look forward to welcoming the public for an open house event next spring.”
The all-inclusive splash pad features aquatic play structures for children and adults of all physical abilities, addressing an inclusion and diversity need throughout the greater Huntington area. Huntington Mayor Steve Williams, American Water Charitable Foundation board member Laura Martin, West Virginia American Water president Robert Burton, and Greater Huntington Park & Recreation District commissioners Dr. Rocco Morabito and Gordon Jones were on hand to give remarks during the ribbon cutting ceremony.
“American Water keeps inclusion and diversity at the forefront of our organizational core values, and this project was a natural fit for our Foundation based on its inclusive elements,” said Robert Burton, president of West Virginia American Water. “The addition of signage on the journey of water adds an educational element to the splash pad. We are honored that the American Water Charitable Foundation chose to fund this project in Huntington.”
The American Water Charitable Foundation is committed to participating and investing in programs that benefit communities served by American Water.
"Our Foundation is pleased to partner with the Greater Huntington Park & Recreation District to provide all residents and visitors, regardless of their abilities, the opportunity to learn, enjoy and appreciate water in a fun and engaging way," said Carrie Williams, president of the American Water Charitable Foundation. “We look forward to welcoming the community to this all-inclusive splash pad in 2021.”
A groundbreaking for the splash pad was held on February 28, and construction began on Monday, March 2. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and limitations, the splash pad was unable to open as planned during the summer of 2020. A community grand opening celebration is planned for the spring of 2021.
The American Water Charitable Foundation previously awarded a Building Better Communities grant for the construction of the Magic Island splash pad in Charleston, West Virginia. Construction of that splash pad was completed in the summer of 2016.
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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (Oct. 15, 2020) – The Greater Huntington Park & Recreation District, American Water Charitable Foundation, National Recreation & Park Association and West Virginia American Water announced today the ribbon cutting of an all-inclusive splash pad at St. Cloud Commons in Huntington, West Virginia. The ribbon cutting comes after the Greater Huntington Park & Recreation District received a $250,000 Building Better Communities grant last fall from the American Water Charitable Foundation.
“We are so thrilled to see this all-inclusive splash pad come to completion,” said Kathy McKenna, interim director of the Greater Huntington Park & Recreation District. “This project is the first of its kind and would not have been possible without the generous support of the American Water Charitable Foundation and the coordination of the National Recreation & Park Association. Although COVID-19 restrictions slowed construction and prohibited a summer opening, we look forward to welcoming the public for an open house event next spring.”
The all-inclusive splash pad features aquatic play structures for children and adults of all physical abilities, addressing an inclusion and diversity need throughout the greater Huntington area. Huntington Mayor Steve Williams, American Water Charitable Foundation board member Laura Martin, West Virginia American Water president Robert Burton, and Greater Huntington Park & Recreation District commissioners Dr. Rocco Morabito and Gordon Jones were on hand to give remarks during the ribbon cutting ceremony.
“American Water keeps inclusion and diversity at the forefront of our organizational core values, and this project was a natural fit for our Foundation based on its inclusive elements,” said Robert Burton, president of West Virginia American Water. “The addition of signage on the journey of water adds an educational element to the splash pad. We are honored that the American Water Charitable Foundation chose to fund this project in Huntington.”
The American Water Charitable Foundation is committed to participating and investing in programs that benefit communities served by American Water.
"Our Foundation is pleased to partner with the Greater Huntington Park & Recreation District to provide all residents and visitors, regardless of their abilities, the opportunity to learn, enjoy and appreciate water in a fun and engaging way," said Carrie Williams, president of the American Water Charitable Foundation. “We look forward to welcoming the community to this all-inclusive splash pad in 2021.”
A groundbreaking for the splash pad was held on February 28, and construction began on Monday, March 2. Due to COVID-19 restrictions and limitations, the splash pad was unable to open as planned during the summer of 2020. A community grand opening celebration is planned for the spring of 2021.
The American Water Charitable Foundation previously awarded a Building Better Communities grant for the construction of the Magic Island splash pad in Charleston, West Virginia. Construction of that splash pad was completed in the summer of 2016.
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