NEWTON COUNTY, GA - Newton County’s first Splash Pad will be located at Denny Dobbs Park, giving children a chance to cool off during Georgia’s hot summer, spring and sometimes fall months.
Newton County Chairman Marcello Banes, along with Newton County commissioners, Recreation Board members and Boy Scout Harrison Kirkhman broke ground on the Splash Pad on Dec. 21. The Splash Pad will be located at 6252 Highway 212 later this year.
Proposals for the Splash Pad have been received by Newton County after a bid process began in November.
Kirkhman brought the idea of a Splash Pad as part of his Eagle Scout project to the Newton County Board of Commissioners. District 2 Commissioner Lanier Sims thought the project would be a great fit for Denny Dobbs Park and began working with the Newton County teen.
Sims, along with the Board of Commissioners, motioned to utilize money from the 2017 Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) which was designated for District 2 Improvements to the Splash Pad project.
“I can’t believe we are finally here,” Sims said. “This is something I’ve always wanted to do in District 2 and when this young man came before us and presented it — he had it sketched out down to the detail what he wanted it to look like — we bought into that vision immediately and started to plan how we can make this happen in Newton County.”
The Splash Pad will be the latest amenity at Denny Dobbs Park, which features two basketball courts, two playgrounds for 2- to 5-year olds, one playground for 5- to 12-year olds, a baseball/softball field, a LifeTrail with a series of handicapped accessible exercise stations and a pavilion that can accommodate up to 175 people.
“This is a great day for Newton County and the west side,” Banes said. “I think it will be great for all of Newton County to celebrate the beginning of this wonderful Splash Pad.”
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