Children and adults alike enjoyed the recently opened splash pad at Community Park on Monday afternoon as the summer sun beat down.
The Jefferson City Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department announced Friday that the park, which had been under construction since May 2019, was officially open to the public.
Assistant Parks Director JJ Gates said while not everything is quite finished, it was ready to open.
"It's what we call 'substantially complete,' which is basically all the big stuff is done - the restrooms are open, the splash pad is working, the playground is up and safe, parking is available," Gates said. "But you can tell we still have landscaping and turf to put in, and the cosmetic details that come with a project that need to happen."
In addition to the landscaping, the personalized bricks residents purchased need to be installed along with two flower sculptures custom-made by local artist Chris Felber.
Jefferson Citians wasted no time trying out the new park. Several families explored the park and used the splash pad to keep cool Monday afternoon.
Community Park, at 725 Marshall St., is unrecognizable from its former life as an essentially empty grass plot.
A large climbing feature made of a complex web of ropes and complete with a tall metal tube slide is immediately noticeable in the center of the park.
Along one side runs a pair of zip lines, next to a unique style of teeter-totter and some large net swings.
The full park is covered in turf, including a small hill with two built-in metal slides. Behind the large climbing feature is a smaller obstacle course-type area with climbing bars and platforms.
The turf, as opposed to living grass, should be easier to maintain, Gates said. This is JC Parks' first time using turf at a park.
The metal slides caused some concern to parents during the heat of the day, as the sun made them hot to the touch. Gates said they were concerned about the slides, but the material is longer-lasting than traditional molded plastic. The slides should be cool enough to use in the evenings or when the sun isn't beating down on them.
"As it heats up, they'll get hot," Gates said. "We definitely don't want anybody to get hurt."
Closest to the parking lot is the splash pad with multiple jets of chlorinated water shooting out of the ground. The water is on a minute-long timer to save water when it's not being used, but nearby are three buttons on pedestals to turn them right back on when they're in use.
Cody Cunningham brought his two children to the park Monday, along with his brother and sister and their children. The children played in the splash pad and raced up and down the climbing feature.
Cunningham took to the climbing equipment himself and bragged that he hadn't been beaten up to the top yet.
"It's good for the community that these kids can come over and do something," Cunningham said. "I like it. It's fun."
Cunningham said they live nearby and had already been to the park once during the weekend. They're glad to have something to do so close to home, he said.
To provide shade and a place to gather, the park has two pavilions on either side of the building containing the restrooms. Some of the tabletops under the shelter are designed to look like checker boards.
Longtime Jefferson City resident Herman Hopson decided to have lunch at one of the tables Monday. He said he used his Facebook page to get the word out about the park being open to his friends.
"This is a great improvement of this city," Hopson said. "It's a big change, and it's a great addition."
Hopson said he hopes to rent out the pavilion and host events for children.
Gates said the Parks Department has yet to determine if it will rent out the shelters like it does at some other parks because they provide essentially the only shade during the day and should be available to all visitors.
One option would be to rent out one side, but Gates said staff are still trying to figure out the plan.
The concession stand area built into the restroom building is currently being used for storage, another thing Gates said staff are still working out a plan for.
Sometime in the coming weeks, JC Parks will host an official grand opening and ribbon cutting for Community Park to recognize everyone who put time and money into its construction.