A new splash pad at Gregory Park in Chambers County has been completed, giving local families another outdoor recreational facility to enjoy when warmer weather returns.
The project, located in Chambers County Pct. 1, is the result of a partnership between Chambers County, The Great Outdoors Fund (TGOF) and 1PointFive, a subsidiary of Occidental.
Representatives of the participating organizations and volunteers gathered Wednesday, Oct. 14, to put the finishing touches on the splash pad and clean up the surrounding park.
Chambers County funded the construction of the splash pad, while additional funding from 1PointFive allowed for several improvements, including an upgraded concrete foundation and additional spray features. The enhancements were designed to make the facility larger, more inclusive and durable for years of use.
Gregory Park serves an area where access to free outdoor recreational facilities has been limited. The new splash pad will provide another option for families looking for affordable activities close to home.
Chambers County Pct. 1 Commissioner Jimmy Gore said the project addresses a need in the community.
“We knew this community needed more opportunities for families and kids to get outside,” Gore said. “This splash pad gives them that, and the great thing is that it isn’t just for one summer or one group of kids. It’s something families throughout this community will be able to enjoy year after year, and we’re excited to see it become a reality.”
The partnership also included 1PointFive, which is developing the Bluebonnet Sequestration Hub in Chambers County.
“Being a good neighbor means listening to communities and looking for opportunities where we can make a positive difference,” said Robert Bravman, Director of Sequestration Development for 1PointFive. “We’re excited to collaborate with Chambers County and The Great Outdoors Fund to create a space where families can come together and build new memories.”
Lori McCullough, founder and CEO of The Great Outdoors Fund, said the value of the project will be seen in how families use the facility over time.
“This is one of those projects where the real impact won’t be measured on the day we finish it,” said McCullough. “It will be measured in the years to come, in summer afternoons spent running through the water, birthday celebrations, families gathering together, and kids growing up with a great place to play right in their own community. That’s what makes investments like this so meaningful.”
McCullough said projects like the Gregory Park splash pad are about more than simply adding recreational facilities.
“We talk a lot about investing in public spaces, but ultimately we’re investing in what happens in those spaces,” McCullough said. “A splash pad is concrete and water features when you build it. What comes afterward is the important part. It becomes laughter, friendships, family time, and memories. That’s the return on investment that can last for generations.”