Splash pads help Mansfield residents cool off during heatwave

Sebastian Stevens couldn't get enough of the city's new splash pad at Johns Park.

The 4-year-old Mansfield boy gleefully and repeatedly ran through the water Wednesday morning.

"I like it. It has a lot of water," Sebastian said. "I'm going to go play in it again."

Splash pads are scheduled for Johns Park and North Lake Park, since Mansfield no longer has a public pool. They are compliments of a donation from the Richland County Foundation.

"We started working on these last April or May," said Mark Abrams, the city's parks superintendent. "We knew Liberty at the time was nearing the end of its life."

The concrete splash pads have fountains that spray water.

Liberty Pool closed last August because of mechanical issues and did not reopen, leaving Mansfield without a public pool. In May, voters turned down an income tax levy that would have provided money for a new pool at Liberty Park.

The splash pad at Johns Park opened Monday. North Lake Park's splash pad should be ready within a week, Abrams said.

Area under excessive heat warning Wednesday

Wednesday was the perfect day to enjoy one of them. The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning for Richland County that extended from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Despite the intense heat, some of the first visitors to Johns Park were a bit apprehensive to sample the splash pad.

"It's cold, very cold," Harlyn Allen said.

The 11-year-old and Javearre Likely, 13, stayed in the water only briefly before leaving.

There wasn't much of a crowd mid-morning.

"It's summertime," Fallon Allen said. "They get to stay up as late as late as they want."

Allen works with the parks department to provide free meals for kids on the North End. They can get breakfast from 9 to 10 a.m. and lunch from noon to 1 p.m. weekdays through Aug. 13.

She was keeping an eye on the kids.

Things really picked up when the Stevens brothers got there. Sebastian and older brother Daniel, 6, made the splash pad their own personal playground.

"This is their first time," said Katlynn Stevens, their mother. "We didn't know it was open.

"It's so much better than going all the way to Ashland or all the way to Galion."

Splash pads keep people from having to leave town for relief

Allen added, "Not everybody up here has transportation, and gas costs $5 a gallon."

Stevens joined her sons in the splash pad for a bit.

"The water is cold, but it feels nice after a minute," she said.

She would not have been able to convince Harlyn and Javearre. They returned to the splash pad after seeing the Stevens brothers having so much fun.

Harlyn bent slightly to let his head meet a stream of water before deciding again it was "too cold."

After the Stevens brothers frolicked, Daniel wanted to head to the playground. Sebastian started to join him before going back to the cooling water.

Daniel wasn't up for an interview about the splash pad. His mother said he loved it.

"If he didn't like it, he'd already be in my car," Mrs. Stevens said.

She said most people aren't aware of the splash pads yet.

"I've been messaging people since I got here. 'Come to the splash pad! Come to the splash pad,''' she said. "It's completely free. That's what we need around here."

Allen agreed.

"This is a great idea, especially on a day like today, to have this free activity for people to enjoy," she said. "Because we don't have any pools, it's really great to have, especially in the North End."

The splash pads are open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

mcaudill@gannett.com

419-521-7219

Twitter: @MNJCaudill

For more relief

Splash pads aren't the only way to cool off during the heat wave. The following cooling centers are available in Richland County:

• Bellville — Public Library, 97 Bell St., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Love Our Heroes, 24 Bell St., from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Bellville Police Department, 320 Bell St., 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

• Butler — Old Village Hall, 33 Elm St., 7:30 a.m. until needed.

• Lexington — Fusion Church, 220 Industrial Drive, from 10 a.m. until needed; Village Hall, 44 W. Main St., Noon to 6 p.m.

• Lucas — Lucas Public Library, 34 W. Main St., from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Madison Township — Madison Branch Library, 1395 Grace St., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Mansfield — Berean Baptist Church, 2145 Middle Bellville Road, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.;  Crossroads Church City Center, 24 N. Main St., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Crossroads Church main campus, 1188 Park Avenue West, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; main library, 43 W. Third St., 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Mansfield Alliance Church, 291 W. Cook Road, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Ontario — Ontario Branch Library, 2221 Village Mall Drive, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Shelby — Marvin Memorial Library, 29 W. Whitney Ave., 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Shelby Police Department, 31 Mack Ave, 24/7.

NOTE: This information was as of 10:45 a.m. Wednesday and may be subject to change. Individuals can call First Call 211 at 419-522-4636 for updates.

This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield will have splash pads at Johns, North Lake parks