LAMPASAS, Texas (KXXV) — Ashley McCoy launched an online petition after growing frustrated with the lack of free water play options for local children to enjoy.
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The petition has already topped 1,000 signatures, and McCoy plans to present her proposal to city leaders soon.
"We have to drive over 25 miles to have something to do, and we should be able to have something local for our children to do here too," McCoy said.
Lampasas currently has no splash pads or free water play areas, leaving families driving miles away for relief from the summer heat. For McCoy, the push for a splash pad started with a simple question: why do Lampasas families have to leave town just to find something fun for their kids to do?
"We live in Texas and it's really hot, and I have two kids that are 4 and 8, and they love going to splash pads. I know other kids in the area would," McCoy said.
City Manager Erin Harrison says a splash pad is possible, but acknowledged there are hurdles ahead.
"It is possible… we'd certainly welcome receiving the petition for inclusion in our capital improvements program. But there's a lot of factors that follow that before it actually gets funded," Harrison said.
Harrison says the city is already facing budget pressures and prioritizing water and street improvements. However, she says future grants could help make a splash pad more realistic.
"We're in the process of going through a parks master plan… and so there's a potential to open up some grant funding once we've completed that plan that could potentially assist in building a splash pad," Harrison said.
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