Parsons Splash Park opens

By Beth Christian Broschart
The Parsons Advocate

PARSONS – It’s finally open! On Saturday, members of Parsons City Council and the Park Board gathered for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Parsons Splash Park. Kids of all ages ran and splashed and had a great time at the pirate themed splash pad. Park Board President Kennetha Greenlief said Saturday’s Open House signaled a dream come true.
“We went with a pirate theme based on the pirate ship on the other side of town,” Greenlief said. “We are so glad this day has come and we can open this for the public.”
Greenlief said the Parsons Splash Park will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. unless other arrangements have been made.
“It’s all free and folks are welcome to come and use it at their will,” she said. “Flip flops are recommended when on the splash pad, but they are not required.”
Greenlief said the water in the splash pad runs for 20 minutes at a time.
“There is a red topped post and when the water stops, you touch the post and it comes back on,” she said. “This is the largest splash pad in the state of West Virginia.”
Greenlief said they have been talking, and hopefully, next year they can put down synthetic ice so the park can be utilized in the winter months.
“We are hoping to do that next year. We are going after a grant and if we get that, it will help to finish up a few things and net us enough money to get the ice. But hopefully, in the next year or two, we can put down the synthetic ice that would make this a year-around park.”
Greenlief said there were two local kids who helped supervise the park.
“They said they were the bosses,” she said. “Alexander Leary and Addalyn Browning, both youngsters, have been watching this project everyday anticipating the opening.”
Jason Myers, Parsons City Administrator/Treasurer, said he was excited to see the splash park open.
“I am excited to be a part of this,” Myers said. “It’s been a dream of the city for the last two years and today that dream became a reality. This last week has been kind of hectic trying to get all of the fine pieces in, but it is well worth it. I am excited to finally open this thing up.”
Myers said there has been anticipation not only in Parsons, but around Tucker and surrounding counties about the park opening up.
“I received a call earlier from someone from in Elkins asking if we were still having the open house today,” Myers said. “We are getting people from other counties – so this park will be a big draw regionally. We are excited about that.”
Myers said the council hopes the Parsons Splash Pad will bring more tourists into Parsons.
“I think this will help with park rentals and I think it will be good for everybody,” Myers said. “Kids can have their birthday parties in the park then come over to the splash park. It’s free. We didn’t do this to make money- we did it to up the quality of life for the city and county residents.”
Myers said he thinks people are really excited about the Parsons Splash Park. “We had almost 14,000 views on our Facebook announcement of the opening.”
Parsons City Councilman Tim Auvil the day has arrived.
“Three years of work – three years of planning and it’s finally here,” Auvil said. “We have some finishing touches to add, but for the most part, we are good to go.”
Auvil said they hope to construct a parking lot.
“I just want to thank Mayor Dorothy Judy and the Parsons City Council members for supporting the project, and all of the Park Board members that have worked very hard to go through the many details to complete this.”
Auvil said the original plan for the Parsons Splash Park was about half the size and only had half of the ‘squirters.’
“That was just boring so we decided to go a little bit bigger and make it worthwhile,” Auvil. “Councilman Dave Greenlief said this is one of the things that will help to make Parsons a destination. That’s what we have to do. Just because there is a highway coming through here does not mean folks will stop in Parsons. We have to continue to make this a recreational area where folks will want to visit and enjoy.”
Auvil said future plans for updating Mill Race Park include adding a basketball court.
“I can almost guarantee in all of the travels I have made around the eastern half of the United States, we live in one of the most beautiful, pristine areas,” he said. “When the highway goes through, there will be motels dying to build and look down on this valley. We hope to become a recreational area and vacation spot to bring jobs and businesses to the town.”
Addalyn Browning, 3, was one of the children overseeing the project. She came every day to watch the construction of the Parsons Splash Park and said she was excited for the opening. Her mother said she had her bathing suit packed for months waiting for the park to be completed and opened.
Mayor Dorothy Judy said Louise and Bill Harman are at the Parsons Splash Park opening in spirit.
“They would be pleased to see so many people having run,” Judy said.
Judy presented plaques to Patrick Phares from Huffman Corporation and R. J. Hovatter from Thrasher Engineering who helped design and complete work on the Parsons Splash Park.