Splash Pad Construction to Begin

SAN ANGELO, TX — The committee members of All-Tex Splash Pads have announced that construction on the splash pad at Unidad Park will begin this week.

The equipment is on-site, and the construction is set to start immediately. The first splash pad is expected to be operational by the end of June 2024.

This project marks a significant milestone in the Splash Pad Committee’s mission to provide inclusive, eco-friendly, and engaging recreational spaces in San Angelo.

Key donors who have made this project possible include:

• All-Tex Irrigation and Supply
• ASCO Equipment
• Mary Ellen Bunyard Family Foundation
• Snider Technology
• San Angelo Area Foundation
• Beverly and Ben Stribling
• Industrial Hose & Oilfield Supply
• The Kingman Family
• Texas Bank
• Lamar Advertising San Angelo
• Angelo Plumbing Supply
• Susan and Randy Brooks
• Cope/Bodine Family Fund
• San Angelo Area Foundation Future Fund

The Splash Pad Committee has volunteer advisors, including Jim and Julie Raymond, Dr. Gigi Perez-Langley, Carl White, Mario Delao, Roger Havlak, and Alfonso Torres. Their expertise has helped navigate the complexities of this public-private project.

The Splash Pad Committee comprises the following board members: Alicia Olshanski, Jeff Perrine, Codi Kingman, Jason Snider, Breanna Huff, Matt Lewis, Janet Karcher, and Royce Pyssen. Their unwavering commitment has driven this initiative from conception to reality.

In June 2022, All-Tex Irrigation & Supply, LLC announced its financial contribution to the City of San Angelo for the construction of a public splash pad. Given its business expertise centered on water, All-Tex sought to incorporate a project aligned with its daily work — Splash Pads.

A committee was formed to bring this vision to life. The initial plans were presented to the San Angelo City Council in January 2023. The council granted permission to seek funding, finalize plans, construct the pads, and make a donation back to the city.

The San Angelo Area Foundation was engaged to receive and manage donated funds. Thanks to the generosity of numerous donors, including All-Tex Irrigation's initial contribution of $100,000, the committee and City of San Angelo acquired the necessary equipment in December 2023 and scheduled the installation at Unidad Park by early summer 2024.

Looking ahead, the committee is focused on raising the funds required to complete a second splash pad at Kirby Park on the north side of San Angelo.

These splash pads are a gift to our community, offered without any obligations. They satisfy the desires of many San Angelo residents, are freely accessible to the public, promote fairness in use, encourage physical activity, drive eco-friendly play initiatives, and contribute to economic stimulation within our community.

One splash pad will be installed at Unidad Park, 3245 Vista del Arroyo Dr., and the other at Kirby Park, 1401 Edmund Blvd., with support from the City of San Angelo Development Corporation. Per the agreement with the city, the City of San Angelo will be responsible for maintaining both pads once construction is complete.

The splash pad systems have two options for operation: freshwater systems or recirculating systems. Given that the region is susceptible to drought, implementing a recirculating system for these projects entails a higher initial expenditure. This involves the burial of a 2,000-gallon tank underground, serving as a reservoir for the system. The water contained in this tank undergoes a comprehensive two-phase filtration and sanitization process. Since the water is reused, the actual water loss is minimal. The design addresses challenges posed by wind, sun, heat, and high usage. Each system is activated by an actuator switch, operating on-demand instead of continuously. A master controller sets the system's operating times for efficient maintenance.