Massillon council discusses Jake Roberson Memorial Splash Park

MASSILLON – The city appears to be shifting its memorial splash park plan back to the front burner.

Legislation was introduced Monday night by the mayor's administration to City Council that – if approved – allows Safety-Service Director Barb Sylvester to gather bids to build the project that's been a few years in the making.

"This (proposal) allows us to go out to bid and enter into a contract (for the project)," said David Maley, the city's economic development director.

The proposed Jake Roberson Memorial Splash Park is targeted for the city's southwest side at Wampler Park, 1818 Main Ave. W.

The goal is to have the splash pad built and operational in the spring, Maley said.

Last spring, City Council rejected an initial effort to build the splash pad at Reservoir Park, as the bulk of members preferred a more central location in the city and didn't want to damage the aesthetics at the "Rezzy." That action precipitated a move to Wampler Park.

Park progress:Massillon aims to move splash pad location to Wampler Park

Wampler Park has 19 acres of land, and a splash park there would total about 8,000 square feet, said Steve Pedro, the city's director of parks and recreation. The proposed water park has yet to be designed.

Assuming the project comes to fruition, the splash park would fall under the Parks & Rec umbrella, Pedro said.

City Councilman Mark Lombardi, R-Ward 1, said Monday he would like to see specifics about security and maintenance costs for a potential splash pad. Pedro said he would contact other municipalities with water parks for details and come back at a future council session.

The Jake Roberson Memorial Splash Park has been on the city's radar for the past few years, as more than half of the estimated $1.1 million needed for construction has been committed since 2018.

About $800,000 has been acquired for the effort through state grants, said Maley. Meanwhile, $300,000 has been set aside via American Rescue Plan Act funding.

The legislation related to the splash pad is up for first reading by City Council next week.

Roberson was a talented Washington High School springboard diver who earned a scholarship to Drexel University and later landed a gig as a team diver at Sea World.

At age 25, while living in California, he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, his mother has said. In January 2017, he wandered into Pyramid Lake north of Los Angeles and drowned.

His body was discovered in the lake on Feb. 25, 2017. He was 30.

Reach Steven at [email protected]. On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE