Splash Pad opens at City Park

Sunshine reigned Thursday morning as city leaders, construction company employees, architects and engineers who had helped work to build the newest addition to the Pea Ridge City Park gathered to cut the ribbon and open the park.

Commending the members of the Pea Ridge Parks Commission, Mayor Jackie Crabtree began the ribbon cutting ceremony Thursday as he expressed gratitude to Cassie Elliot, Visionary Milestone, who helped write the grant, along with Mike Sprague, Arkansas Parks and Tourism, who funded the grant.

The city of Pea Ridge Parks Commission had a five-year plan to get a splash pad built and they did exactly that.

The grant was a 50/50 grant for up to $180,000, according to Nathan See, city official. The project was contracted at $153,000 by Ellingson Contstruction. Working on the Pea Ridge project were David Ellingson, president; Chris Hobby, project manager; and Rick Campbell, job superintendent.

With the help of the city’s Street Department employees, the city provided about $30,000 in in-kind services.

“There is almost a tangible sense of community pride here in Pea Ridge, and it was exciting to be a part of a project that will bring enjoyment to the families and children of this town for years to come,” David Ellingson, president Ellingson Contracting, said.

Crabtree thanked Park Commission members Joseph Carlson,

Crystal Carlson, Mechel Wall, Karen Kitterman, Ott Bell and Spencer Deal, several of whom attended Thursday’s event. He also credited JKJ Architects John Mack, Tony Kimmi and Jim Mayer for helping “put these things together.”

Crabtree said Eric Anderson, Kevin Beaumont and Daniel Barnes with McClelland Engineering were a big part of this project.

“I want to give a big shout out to our Street Department employees Tom Sheets, Dustin Phy, Aaron Clark, Josh Litchfield, Brett Scott and Nathan See, superintendent,” Crabtree said.

“It takes a community working together to see these things happen — they’re not free,” Crabtree said, explaining that almost $170,000 was spent on this project. “It’s very, very expensive whenever you start doing things.”

“I think we’ve got some kiddos today who are going to test this out for us today,” Crabtree said.