WISNER, Neb. — Wisner residents celebrated the opening of a new splash pad in Central Park this May, adding a fresh, kid-friendly attraction to the community. The project, spearheaded by a committee of local families, addresses the need for more children's recreational options, complementing the town's popular Olympic Pool that primarily caters to adults.

The splash pad's realization followed a strategic planning meeting that highlighted the community's desire for such a facility. The initiative quickly gained momentum through extensive fundraising efforts and widespread community support. Numerous individuals and organizations contributed financially to ensure the project's completion.

Funding for the $650,000 splash pad came from a variety of sources, including grants from the Land and Water Conservation Fund and Nebraska Game and Parks. Additional financial support was provided by the Cuming County Visitors Bureau, Pinnacle Bank, Citizens Bank, the Louie and Abbie Dinklage Foundation, and the Jim and Lillian Cooper Foundation.

The splash pad features easy-to-use water activations, with each feature running for approximately four minutes at the touch of a button. This design helps conserve water by preventing continuous flow when the area is not in use. The new amenity has been met with enthusiasm, particularly from local mothers who appreciate the additional recreational opportunity for children.

"We're pretty lucky as a community," said Becky Bosler. "Not everybody has a splash pad. And just to have a city administration that's willing to support us and having one and doing really good maintenance to take care of it, we're pretty lucky. We have a wonderful pool, but this is just another great resource to have in the community for kids to play outside after hours in the pool being open."