Sullivan City splash pad offers relief from summer heat

This article originally appeared in the Friday, June 1,2018 issue of the Progress Times

Sullivan City welcomed summer with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new splash pad at Memorial Park on Tuesday.

Construction on the splash pad — a water playground for children — started last year.

Sullivan City had “engineering problems left and right,” said Mayor Leo Garcia but construction finished before the La Joya Independent School District closed for the summer.

“It’s an incredible feeling,” Garcia said. “Just to see these kids out there enjoying it.”

Sullivan City paid for the splash pad through the Urban County program, which distributes Community Development Block Grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The Hidalgo County Commissioners Court awarded the nearly $401,000 construction contract to South Pools Inc. in March 2017.

After change orders, the splash pad ultimately cost about $536,000, said Assistant Director Patricio “P.R.” Avila II, who attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The city also received a $37,500 grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Sullivan City, though, completed the splash pad project without the Parks and Wildlife grant. With approval from the state, Interim City Manager Richard Ozuna said the city will spend the money on new lights and bleachers for Memorial Park.

If you Go
Where: 500 S. Cenizo Drive
Summer Hours: 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. every day