‘A dream come true’

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Ground was broken for the “Spray and Play at Veterans Park” in a ceremony held by city officials on Saturday morning at 1121 Houk Road – behind the Delaware Community Center YMCA and the Ohio Army National Guard Training Center.

The park will feature a 3,500-square foot splash pad, picnic shelter, three-season shelter, amphitheater, play structure and ADA accessible components.

Lee Yoakum, community affairs coordinator for the city of Delaware, emceed the event which was highlighted by four speakers, including Mayor Carolyn Kay Riggle.

Luke Crowley, a representative from Congressman Pat Tiberi’s office, City Manager Tom Homan and City Council member Lisa Keller of the Second Ward also spoke at the event.

“It’s so great that so many people from the community showed up,” Keller said. “(People) are excited about the park.”

“It will never be a place where you see people sitting the sidelines, wishing to join in,” said Keller during her remarks.

The groundbreaking was done by children with toy shovels as officials stood in the background.

The city needed an additional $350,000 to complete the park, and that was approved during a July 6 City Council meeting. The total cost of the park is $2,200,000 which was allocated from voter-approved recreation levy funds.

“It’s truly a dream come true,” Keller said. “It started as an idea and I think every idea needs a champion, so I was happy to be that person for this – to make sure we didn’t forget about it and make sure that we kept working toward it. And here we are.”

The target date for the park’s opening is Memorial Day 2016.

The event was open to the public and served a picnic lunch after the proceedings.

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Ground broken for ‘Spray and Play’

By Michael Rich

For The Gazette

Michael Rich can be found on Twitter @mrichdelgazette.com. Email: [email protected].

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