The much-anticipated, much-touted splash pad at Holland Park, a $5.1 million addition that opened just weeks ago, is having a difficult time staying open without recurring problems of one sort of another.
Filtering issues had hampered the initial (soft) opening of the pad. In mid-June, what appeared to be electrical issues later traced to a software problem developed, forcing the pad to close for a few days. There’s been other issues. The pad closed again today as cracks were detected in the soft padding.
“The contractors were onsite last week regarding an outstanding warranty issue that has since intensified, requiring the immediate inspection,” a city statement issued on Wednesday stated. “The rubber pad surface of the splash pad is cracking and deteriorating in some areas which could become a tripping hazard. The City’s priority is to ensure the safety of everyone at the splash pad.”
Today, the city announced “with regret” that it was closing portions of the splash pad “until further notice,” citing safety concerns. It had officially opened on May 14, with council members, county commissioners and a school board member present.
The pad has become a tripping hazard in portions. “Additionally, the loose material from the rubber pad surface is entering the filters and strainer baskets which can cause the filter to fail, resulting in further maintenance or the need to replace the entire pump,” today’s statement read.
“In an effort to keep as many features open as possible, a portion of the splash pad will remain open during operating hours. The areas that will be closed include: the whale and whale tail, the mantra ray, the rings, and the two turtles in the toddler area. The water spray features will be turned off in those areas and the areas will be blocked off using construction fencing. Additional areas may need to be blocked off if additional deterioration occurs.” The area closed off appears to represent about half the surface of the splash pad.
The splash pad is under warranty, so the city is working with the contractor “get the issues resolved as soon as practical. The City recognizes the inconvenience this causes to families, especially during the summertime, and will work expeditiously to get these problems resolved, however, the City’s priority is to ensure safety and prevent injury to everyone at the splash pad.”
Open portion of the splash pad should be operational by noon on Friday, though the tentativeness of the city’s statement’s wording suggests that times and dates are becoming as fluid as the pad’s ability to operate. The playground portion of Holland Park, which re-opened in June 2017 after protracted, $4.7 million renovations, will remain open. Those portions have not experienced many issues, other than a brief fix required at the dog park, and the park has continued to be the city’s biggest outdoor draw.
To check the hours of operation for the splash pad, go here.
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John says
Fix it. Time is of the essence.
Go after the bond.
Mary Kay Hayward says
Totally agree. I’m sure it’s a hefty bond. These problems are not unusual in construction, thus the reason for bonds.
Willy James says
If I remember correctly, Councilman Jack Howell warned the council that this was a bad deal. He based this position on previous experiences he had with the water park in Jacksonville’s Hanna Park. Once again the city of Palm Coast got snookered. Branquino, Klufas, and Holland voted for this turkey. Councilman Howell is having the last laugh and Branquino and Klufas have to live with this debacle they created. Hate to say it but those two councilmen have not seen the ball since kick-off. Sure do miss Howell and his leadership. He made it a point to personally greet those citizens attending council meetings and workshops. The most important thing about Jack is that he listened to the people and was the only smart one in the group.
Bert says
It not the councilman fault it the dumb inspector that approved it at the city Susan lol she know it all but make many mistakes and still have a job Also it the contractor fault for not finding the mistake at hand. The kids love this park and if it was done right it will be awesome.
palmcoaster says
Sure Jack Howell was also missed since resigned and yes his expertise spoke of the problems of the Hanna Park splash park in Jacksonville. Looks like technology didn’t improve by now. Now that we have it built hope is repaired under guaranty ASAP as now in the middle of the hot summer is when needed the most. I can believe that opened in May and by July has several problems.
Jimbo99 says
Here we go again, the splash pad was a waste of money & so is the tennis/pickleball facility. At least the pickleball courts are slabs of concrete that can only crack when those foundations settle on the swamp land they’re building it on ? I guess painting the surface, then relining the courts & nets are about the only thing that can go wrong with that ?
Who knows what the splash pad was under repairs for about 2 weeks after the grand opening ceremony in Mid-May 2021. But there was a forced closure right before & though Memorial Day weekend. Rubber surfaces don’t last very long in the direct sunlight of a FL (Palm Coast) summer. I’m on record warning of just the potential of pump failure issues. The splash pad is a lawsuit waiting to happen for injuries to children.
Dennis C Rathsam says
All that money, spent on Holland Park….2 million? And now its falling apart, and its not even been a year! Why is it that everthing Palm Coast does, they do it 1/2 ass. Did anyone reseach this rubber? was it installed corectly? This city and those whom make these important decisions need to step back, gather information, reseach it to death. Tax payers are on the hook for all your mistakes. And in the past ten years youve made some doozys!!!!!
Pat Patterson says
Agree with you. So many mistakes. So little is done, yet, most of what is done by the City is a cluster f_ _ _ _! The taxpayers are left holding the bag for all of the poor decisions. Why are there not qualified people making these very costly, important, decisions? Hope the company that installed the splashpad is held accountable for these problems.
The dude says
This certainly seems to please the “get off my lawn!!!” contingent.
Shark says
So lets piss away another million dollars to fix it !!!!
Pat says
This project has been one big boondoggle starting with gopher turtles. Will the financial drain ever end?
J.T says
Good God this was a terrible idea frofronfrofront he start. The money they used for this pile of garbage could of paid for citation BLVD to extend to south old kings road. Hell, they could of even redone wadsworth skatepark like they promised so long ago, instead they build this pile of junk, but advocating about saving water. The leadership in this county is a joke.