Mayor Announces Start of Splashpad Construction; Unveils Design

            Utica Mayor Robert M. Palmieri today announced the beginning of construction for the new splashpad at Thomas R. Proctor Park. The first-of-its kind water feature is designed to complement the popular new inclusive playground, which was completed in the spring of this year. The splashpad features more than a dozen unique water-spray features developed specifically for the City of Utica.

            The splashpad is being built using funds from the American Rescue Plan Act and is part of the Utica Prosperity Initiative. It will be joined by a new pavilion that will provide shade and seating for families enjoying both the inclusive playground and the splashpad. The total cost of the pavilion and splashpad is roughly $650,000.  

The splashpad was engineered by Weston & Sampson, an Albany-based design and engineering firm that is one of the most sought after such firms on the east coast. The project has been in development for about two years, and with construction starting, the splashpad should be completed this fall and ready for use in the spring.

            It is the latest effort in the Mayor’s plan to make T.R. Proctor Park, along with Roscoe Conkling Park, a family-friendly play area that is accessible and fun for all of Utica’s residents. It features several unique play features that have not been seen in the Utica area to date. The splashpad is part of an effort to upgrade several of the city’s park systems to allow for more outdoor recreation spaces that can be safely used by a wide-range of residents following lessons learned from the Covid-19 pandemic.

            Several of the recent improvements to local parks have been geared toward TR Proctor and FT Proctor Parks to make a destination recreation area. Some of these improvements include:

• A new dog park at the east end of the park.
• A new skatepark at TR Proctor Park.
• A new parking lot adjacent to Buckley Pool.
• A new waterslide near Buckley Pool.
• A new pavilion at F.T. Proctor Park.
• More accessible pathways throughout the park system.
  
  

Mayor Robert M. Palmieri said: “The new splashpad will be one of the most unique and most popular features in any park in the City of Utica. The goal is to be the best park system in the entire state. With our recent investments, including this new way for residents to cool off, Utica will be more fun, more sustainable and more enjoyable for people from all over. I ask the residents to help us get the most out of these improvements by using all equipment properly and with care.”

Councilman Frank Meola said: “I commend the Mayor and the administration for investing in families and in our parks. As a councilmember, I hear constantly, that we need to provide more things for people to do and enjoy in our city, and we’re delivering on those requests. I can’t wait to see families with children of all abilities enjoy our new splashpad.”