Cookeville officials say the long-awaited splash pad at Cane Creek Park is expected to open later this month.
Cookeville City Manager James Mills said the project is in its final stages, with most of the heavy work already completed.
“Well, the splash pad is nearly complete,” Mills said. “The playground is complete, the parking lot has been surfaced, and it should be open within the next few days, but we expect to have a ribbon-cutting sometime in May.”
Mills said crews are now focused on finishing touches such as landscaping and cleanup, along with installing remaining splash pad features. Despite earlier concerns that the project might not be ready in time for summer, Mills said the city expects families to be able to enjoy the new amenity during the warmer months.
“We hear a lot of questions about the facilities that are available for children, and we’ve made it a goal,” Mills said. “I know Chad McDonald and Rick Woods, his predecessor, have worked hard to try to provide all these facilities so children will have a place to go and be entertained.”
Mills said the Cane Creek splash pad will be the first of its kind in Cookeville, offering a dedicated space for water play beyond existing features like the fountain at Dogwood Park. While a larger aquatics facility had previously been considered, Mills said the focus has instead been on improving core infrastructure.
“This council, which I agree with 100 percent, switched gears and concentrated on infrastructure, streets, water and sewer, sidewalks, those things which we were behind on,” Mills said. “You know, maybe in the future we can look again at an aquatics facility, but I do agree, and I think this council was correct in trying to get the many street projects done and the several water and sewer projects completed in the city.”
Mills said he is looking forward to the opening of the new splash pad.