(Atlantic, Iowa) – A Splash Park Project in Atlantic is much closer to having fundraising to make the project possible, thanks to a boost from the Atlantic City Council.  The Council, Wednesday evening agreed to have Snyder and Associates Engineers proceed with the design and bidding process for the project, and, the Council agreed to transfer a $45,000 surplus from the Atlantic Parks Inclusive Playground fund, to the Splash Park project.

Jeremy Butler, Splash Park Fundraising Committee Chairman, said prior to the City’s latest contribution, the project’s fundraising team had raised $352,903.85 toward the estimated $600,000 cost of the SplashPad/Park. The City’s transfer of the $45,000 from the Inclusive Playground Fund, brings the total amount raised $2,100 shy of $400,000.

He said as an example of how individuals, businesses and organizations have come together in support of the SplashPad Project, “The kids as Washington Elementary got one of those spiral funnels you drop your change in (where people drop in their pocket change).” He said “I saw in a Facebook post they were a couple of hundreds of dollars away from their goal of $1,000.” He made some phone calls and received matching funds so they could donate $2,000.

“Well then, a local neighborhood group (that he held off on identifying until they make a check presentation), is also going to match it, so these K-through Third-graders made a $3,000 impact on this project bringing pocket change.” He said it’s been an amazing effort from so many people “from the day we kicked-off the fundraising until now.” Butler commended the community, the fundraising committee, and the City Council for what they have contributed to this project thus far since efforts began in April, 2023. The current proposed project has a surface area of a little more than 4,000 square feet. It will feature somewhere between 25 and 30 features.