Splash Field Grand Opening

PERU – The Splash Field opening ceremony was a grand slam at Washington Park Monday evening. City Officials and Morgan Happ, wife of J.A. Happ, cut the ribbon to the handicapped-friendly water park, letting in crowds of eager parents and children.
Morgan shared how she and J.A, Toronto’s Blue Jay Pitcher, are proud to be from Peru, and how happy she is to be able to gets kids unplugged and outside. “Giving back to this community, and being present here is super important to us,” said Megan. “Donating to something that involves children is super important to us.”
The Happ family’s generous donation to the project influenced the parks theme, baseball.

The idea for the Splash Field came about when Peru’s public pool was decompositing, and eventually demolished. “Between the efforts of the Peru City Council, a community fundraising committee and outside funding, the waterpark became a priority,” said City Clerk Dave Bartley.
The Splash Field is an extraordinary water pad, due to its main component of being handicapped accesible. Head Engineer Eric Carls, says each feature of the Splash field is unique with different textures, sounds, and shapes. “The pad plays to kids with disabilities, he shared, “Children that have autism or cerebral palsey, or are blind or def can enjoy the specially made features.”
The City is in the process of getting PVC-Wheelchairs so that children in wheelchairs can also enjoy splashing around the field.
The Splash Field project plans on expanding with a full size hockey rink and basketball courts in the park, by mid August.