City Council, staff, and friends opened the new Lenoir Splash Pad at the Lenoir Rotary Soccer Complex today, June 14, 2025. The City held a ribbon cutting, celebrated Flag Day, and dedicated the new Lenoir Rotary Club Peace Pole at the park.
Parks & Recreation Director Phil Harper started the ceremony by thanking all the City staff, previous and current, for their work on the project.
“Look at this beautiful splash pad we have. I’d like to acknowledge Kenny Story, Kenny got this off the ground in late 2021,” Director Harper said. “I want to thank Jared Wright. He has helped us in so many projects including the splash pad. I want to thank Public Works Director Jon Hogan and his staff for their work on the beautiful landscaping, the restroom renovation, and the greenway loop.”
City Council approved the splash pad project in 2024. Contractors finished the splash pad earlier this year. Contractors added the walking loop and Public Works finished the landscaping and renovated the restrooms in the past few weeks.
“We are truly blessed with an amazing staff. This was a fun project,” Public Works Director Jon Hogan said. “We created a vision together, and they made it happen. Our staff take a lot of pride in creating spaces like this for the public, our citizens, and our own families. “
The Lenoir Splash Pad was funded by a Parks & Recreation Trust Fund grant, State Capital Infrastructure Funding, and local funds. The new splash pad is 1,648 square feet with 55 sprayers. The City also built a 20-foot by 20-foot timber framed picnic shelter with four picnic tables. The City added 1,530 feet of new greenway that created a half-mile walking loop around the soccer fields.
The City refurbished the restrooms, added a new water fountain and garbage cans, added new landscaping and trees, and sealed and striped three parking lots and the park.
City of Lenoir Mayor Joe Gibbons said he was proud of the new splash pad and thanked all the City staff who made it happen.
“This is very special. We have been talking about having a splash pad for a long time, and this is the perfect place to do it,” Mayor Gibbons said. “Kids can play soccer, and their little brothers and sisters can play in the splash pad.”
Mayor Gibbons led everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag in honor of Flag Day.
The splash pad and restrooms will be open daily from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm from May to September. Please follow all the splash pad rules, and most importantly, HAVE FUN!
