Marston: Cash woes won't stop splash pad

Supervisor positive, though financials dampen outlook for Grand Island splash pad

By Karen Carr Keefe

Senior Contributing Writer

While many Grand Islanders have eagerly awaited a splash pad as a bright, new amenity planned for Veterans Park, the financials presented to the Town Board on Monday cast a shadow over that enthusiasm.

But despite financial concerns expressed by some council members, Supervisor Peter Marston believes the splash pad could be a reality for area kids as soon as this summer.

However, he leveled with board members, “We do not have the money in a grant to finish this.” And he outlined ways the town may be able to gain the needed funds to complete the splash pad project. These include the potential for additional grants or donations from a private entity, which could come later.

The project funding is part of a $1.1 million grant to the Grand Island Miracle League, an adaptive baseball league that has a ball field and playground in Veterans Park on Bedell Road.

Beyond the basics of building

Beyond building the splash pad, itself, Marston told the board that costs have mounted in order to make the splash pad operable and safe. That is, operable with sufficient power, water and sewer services; and safe with perimeter concrete, fencing and sidewalks that allow access for disabled individuals.

Marston said the town’s grant writer, Elaine O’Neill, is working to secure additional grant money, and there has been word of private entities that may be willing to help the town bridge the funding gap.

Meanwhile, the basic components for the splash pad have already been purchased.

Actual cost exceeds available cash

At the board’s workshop meeting, Marston delivered the hard facts: “Let me break it down for you guys. … Thus far, to date – now, remember, this grant also entailed much of stuff the Miracle League was asking for: scoreboard, fencing, all this other stuff – spent to date: $650,000. Left in the grant right now is $675,000.”

•He said the cost to the vendor for the splash pad is $708,000.

•“The water hook-up is about $40,000; the sanitary sewer is roughly $25,000; the power to upgrade to run it is about $10,000. That puts us at a cost of negative $108,000, currently.”

Marston said if the board decides to put perimeter concrete around it, that’s about $170,000.

•Converting the sidewalks to be compliant with requirements of The Americans with Disability Act would cost another $170,000. The fencing around it would cost about $40,000.

Marston said the grand total, beyond funds on hand, would leave the town with a shortfall of roughly $400,000. Even just purchasing the basic splash pad leaves a $33,000 spending gap. That basic cost would exclude the water hook-up, the power upgrade, sanitary sewer, perimeter concrete, adaptive sidewalks and fencing.

When Council member Dan Kilmer heard about the costs above and beyond the available funds, he said, “This is not the way a town runs. We do not spend more than we have in the account.”

In reply, Marston said, “I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news, but I thought everybody should know.” He also said that, if the town delays the project, costs will only increase over the ensuing period of time.

On Tuesday, Marston told Niagara Frontier Publications, “The numbers are still pretty much guess-timates. We’re trying to put it all together. We are more than fiscally capable of buying the splash pad. We just have to work on the other components.”

History of the enabling grant

•In 2021, the Eric County Legislature donated over $1.1 million to the Miracle League of Grand Island with the goal of implementing a new field (shelf life 10-15 years), better amenities, and a splash pad for the children served. The town bonded an additional $200,000 over the grant, making the available funds $1.3 million.

While the work for splash pad has not yet begun, the work strictly for the Miracle League is complete. The Miracle League, launched about 15 years ago, allows people with disabilities to play baseball using an adaptive diamond in Veterans Park. An adaptive playground is nearby, offering additional recreation for Miracle League players and other children.

•In 2023, the Town Board officially signed the agreement with Erie County, finalizing the grant for the improvements at the park and ball field. The grant was allocated locally by the county as part of the Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan, designed to counteract COVID’s economic blow; as well as from state aid the county wasn’t anticipating.

When the grant initially came through, Miracle League Executive Director Scott McManigle said, “We have a great relationship with the Town of Grand Island, and I know that there’s no public pool or splash pad on the Island.” He said the Miracle League’s playground is for the community “but it’s adaptive for our players.”

“I’d like to try to find a way for the splash pad to be the same thing,” he said. “Kind of our gift from the Miracle League back to the community and back to Grand Island and make it something adaptive for the community and our players.”

May is Older Americans Month, and this year's theme is "Champion Your Health." A proclamation from the Grand Island Town Board stated, "Grand Island includes a growing number of older Americans who contribute their time, wisdom and experience to our community." According to the 2020 census, Grand Island's population includes 9,246 people who are 50 and older, comprising 43% of residents. The Town Board also extended its congratulations and thanks to the Grand Island Golden Age Club for its many years of service to the town's older Americans. From left: Council members Rhonda Diehl and Tom Digati, Martha Marrinan, Anna Vaccaro, Bob Vacarro, Joy Mesmer, Supervisor Peter Marston, and Council members Jose Garcia and Dan Kilmer (Photo by Karen Carr Keefe)