ST. PETER — As a teacher with her summers off, Stephanie Evans is always looking for inexpensive ways to entertain her two young kids.
Soon she won’t have to go far to do so.
The city of St. Peter is constructing a splash pad as part of its Gorman Park refurbishing. It will be a neighbor to the city’s library and community center.
“If we’re lucky it will be ready for use as we close out the summer,” said City Administrator Todd Prafke. “But more likely the first splashing will take place in the spring of 2027.”
Evans said she is excited there will be local, summer fun for her and her kids. Her daughter, Lemon, is 7 years old and her son, Walter, is 5. The family lives in St. Peter.
“We’re always looking for something to go out and do,” she said. “And it’s great to have an opportunity like this in town. With little kids you want to go out for just a couple of hours.”
The splash pad carries a $1.5 million price tag but was offset with a recent $100,000 donation from the St. Peter Ambassadors. It was the organization’s largest gift to date.
Cory Abels, a member of the nonprofit group, said they were eager to help.
“This will allow our youth something fun to do during the summer,” he said. “They’ll be outdoors and won’t be in front of their screens. It’s great for families.”
Other possible funding streams for the splash pad are additional donations, bonding dollars from the state or the issuance of debt by the City Council, Prafke said.
When asked how excited city officials were about the recent $100,000 St. Peter Ambassadors’ splash pad donation, he said, “very, with an exclamation mark. If you have kids and you are looking for a great afternoon, you can hit the park, you can go to story time at the library and play in the gym at the community center, all in one fell swoop.”
Abels said a splash pad is one of the top features St. Peter residents have been talking about wanting for years.
“We’re always looking for things for children to do,” he said.
What’s more, the splash pad will be accessible by all.
“It’s another amenity that is open to everyone,” Prafke said, adding that Gorman Park is a “fantastic place” with one of the city’s most popular playgrounds.
In the past, Evans’ family traipsed to North Mankato for splash pad fun.
“We bring lunches and it’s an easy way to spend a couple of hours and it’s free,” Evans said, noting Fallenstein Park in North Mankato is an attraction. “When you’re home with your kids every day, you don’t want to spend money. Finding a park is our favorite thing.”