Splash Pad Used 25,000 Gallons on Opening Night, Martinsville Mayor Reports

Martinsville City Council | September 9, 2026

Article Summary: Mayor Robert Lovell told the Martinsville City Council on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, that the city’s new splash pad used roughly 25,000 gallons of water on its first night open, about $100 worth, and that a full season would run approximately $10,000 in water.

Splash Pad Key Points:

• First night of operation used approximately 25,000 gallons, about $100 worth of water.
• Lovell estimated about $10,000 of water to run the facility for a season.
• Fences “will be going up any day”; courts to be acid washed Sept. 21 and painted and touched up Sept. 25.
• Alderman Chris Perry relayed a resident’s report that parts of the splash pad “seemed dark”; the minutes note an electrician can move the lights and that cameras were suggested.

MARTINSVILLE — Martinsville’s new splash pad went through roughly 25,000 gallons of water on its first night of operation, Mayor Robert Lovell told the city council on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026 — about $100 worth at city rates.

Running the facility for a full season, Lovell said, would cost about $10,000 in water.

The report came under the mayor’s comments. Lovell also gave the council a short construction schedule for the surrounding work: the fences “will be going up any day,” crews will acid wash on the 21st, and on the 25th they will “paint and touch up courts.” The minutes do not specify which courts or state a projected completion date for the overall site.

The minutes do not state the splash pad’s total construction cost, its funding source, its location, or the date it opened. No packet material accompanied the item, and because the city’s record of this meeting consists only of minutes and a one-page agenda, no direct quotation from Lovell is available — the figures above are the minutes’ own rendering of what he reported.

Lighting and Cameras Raised

Alderman Chris Perry told the council that a resident had said parts of the splash pad “seemed dark” and asked whether the lights could be adjusted. The minutes record the response that “an electrician can move them if needing adjustment,” and add: “It was suggested cameras may need to be added.”

The minutes do not attribute either the electrician response or the camera suggestion to a named speaker, and no action was taken on either point. No cost, vendor or timeline for camera installation appears anywhere in the record.

Perry separately reported that a resident had told him the playground behind the Post Office “is missing hardware.” The minutes record no response and no action.

Where the Splash Pad Fits

The splash pad is one of several park and recreation matters the council touched on Wednesday without formal action. Alderman Wendy Isbell reported that utility marking flags had been removed from the park where a sidewalk was to be installed, and was told that “the sidewalk job has been delayed due to a few higher prioritized jobs.” Isbell also said the Community Garden “is ready to be mowed or bush hogged.” Alderman Harley Craig told the council the city “will need to be thinking of a date for Fall tree planting.”

None of those items drew a motion. Under the council’s practice as reflected in these minutes, items raised during the mayor’s and council comments portions are received as reports and discussion rather than acted upon.