Order placed for 5th St. Park splash pad

By Carol McIntire
Editor
A $7,500 donation from Encino Energy’s Community Partnership Program triggered village of Carrollton officials to press the “ORDER NOW” button for the 5th Street Park splash pad project.
Zach Kent, community relations coordinator for Encino, was on hand Feb. 15 to present the check to Mayor Bill Stoneman and Village Administrator Mark Wells.
“For about a year now, the village has been working around the clock to bring a splash pad to the park,” said Wells. “We have been fortunate enough to have many different groups donate toward the splash pad and, with Encino’s help, we are one step closer to seeing this become a reality.”
Wells said when the village learned of Encino’s donation, officials felt comfortable with placing the order.
Funding for the $166,142 project is coming from a variety of sources. Local donors, including the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Carroll County Commissioners, Carroll County Energy, Carroll County Foundation, Carrollton Ruritan Club and Encino, made contributions totaling $73,380.
“The village appropriated $150,000 from the Rainy Day Fund for continuation of village park improvements that will provide for the remaining $92,762 needed for project.

“We are launching this project earlier than anticipated thanks to the many generous donors,” he said. “We hope to have it operational by mid-summer rather than late summer, which was originally planned. Of course, that also depends on the availability of equipment.”
“Along with providing funds for the project, the village is responsible for getting water and electric to the site and for getting used water away from the site,” he explained. “Water and sewer are already at the park and Street Superintendent Ben Palmer plans to run the drain to the storm sewer. Village officials will have the ability to regulate the hours of operation of the splash pad through a programmable system and we have done the research and aren’t worried about water consumption.”
Kent said Encino’s donation is the first distribution this year and its fourth playground project funded since the program was established.
“It is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to being a good neighbor in the communities in which it operates,” he said.
“We are excited to put forth efforts in making sure this splash pad becomes a reality,” said Jackie Stewart, director of external affairs for Encino Energy. “Encino has employees who live in and around Carrollton whose families will be able to enjoy this. The village of Carrollton has done a terrific job in bringing forth projects that bring the community together.”