Edison's new splash park 'ahead of schedule', mayor says

EDISON – It's cold outside, but construction recently began on what will become a summer attraction for young children – the township's first splash park at Papaianni Park.

The splash pad is designed in the shape of an Edison light bulb and will feature the Edison light tower spraying water as a fountain, Mayor Sam Joshi said in a recent Facebook post.

The work is slated to include site grading, tree clearing, removal of the existing curb, installing a concrete sidewalk, concrete paver patio, the splash park with a rubberized safety surface along with picnic benches, tables, chairs, shade structures and new restrooms.

Also included is drainage improvements, utility connections, installation of a new fire hydrant, sanitary sewer system and other site restoration work.

Joshi said the work is already ahead of schedule and is slated to be completed before the end of the 2023-24 school year, weather permitting, which means the park could be available for use next summer.

"This is an improvement for our families and our future as the youth will be able to make memories with their families and friends," Joshi said.

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The splash park is being built on a 1.2-acre section of Papaianni Park which is near the municipal complex. Several months ago, the Township Council approved a $2.8 million contract for the project where work is expected to continue through the spring. Edison has asked Middlesex County to cover half the cost.

The splash park features cultural artifacts reimagined as sprinklers, such as a red dragon as a symbol for East Asia and an elephant for South Asia, with the Edison light tower as a centerpiece to spray water. Also added are globes around the tower.

Plans for a splash park were announced during Joshi's first State of the Township address in 2022 although there had been talk about a splash park during a prior administration.

The splash park is slated to be fully enclosed with a fence, and a family bathroom will also be available with changing stalls,

In addition to the splash park, the township also approved a contract earlier this year for a $10.8 million youth sports recreation facility. That work involves the removal of the existing buildings and trailers at the Edison Jets Football Field, 370 Central Ave., and construction of a pre-engineered metal building with a surrounding one- or two-story podium structure framed of steel columns, steel beams and a composite metal deck slab. Both structures will be supported on concrete shallow foundations.

That building is slated to be used for cheerleading, wrestling, football, basketball, lacrosse and other activities year-round.

Email: srussell@gannettnj.com

Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Edison NJ splash park coming to Papaianni Park next summer