TOLEDO, Ohio — After a closure that spanned a record-breaking heat wave and several delays, a central Toledo splash pad has finally reopened to the relief of many in the neighborhood.
According to the city, the Savage Park splash pad, located at 650 Nebraska Ave., is finally fully operational, compliant with Makenna's Law and "safe for use."
The city said it had been working to fix 10 issues the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department found in order to reopen the park's splash pad after it was closed due to not being in compliance with Makenna's Law.
The law was enacted in April 2023 to change the maximum water velocity out of nozzles of water fixtures.
According to a press release Friday, the health department said the splash pad's spray height was roughly 10 feet, and anything above 6.21 feet exceeds the maximum velocity allowed. High-velocity water can cause injury to those using the splash pad, including children and the elderly.
During the closure, neighbors expressed their displeasure.
"It's been 90 degrees. 90, 80, and it isn't even open," Gerry Marshall, who lives across the street from the splash pad, said. "I've been upset."
Marshall said now that the splash pad is open, it won't be long before his six kids will be out playing.
"I know they're going to run around. They love taking over, having everyone run around in there, playing tag and doing whatever," Marshall said.
The city's park director, Joe Fausnaugh, said safety is the top priority and that the city will continue to test the water pressure throughout the summer.
"It's a 20-year-old system, so it took some trial and error to figure out how to reduce the water pressure and then we had to figure out how do we measure it to prove the compliance. So the development of a tool to provide that proof was also a challenge for us," Fausnaugh said. "Safety is always our first priority, and we definitely wanted to bring the splash pad into compliance so that we can ensure no one gets hurt."
City leaders have been outspoken about issues getting the splash pad open and are pleased kids in the neighborhood finally have a place to cool off.
"It was so hot out here and something like this helps cool the kids down, help them enjoy each other, enjoy their park, and we just didn't have that at that time," Earl Mack, post commander for Toledo Buffalo Soldiers, said. "And so, I'm just happy to be here to see this finally opening up."
Toledo City Council member Vanice Williams was another voice calling for the pad to reopen.
"It was unfortunate that this was turned off for so long into the summer, but I see a better summer coming along," Williams said.
With temperatures heating up again, even adults may be taking advantage of the fun.
"I got to go home and put my swim trunks on," Mack said. "But I don't know if anybody wants to see me in swim trunks."
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