Webster City's new splash pad in East Twin Park officially opened Tuesday with the ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by the park's best fans: kids.

About 100 people gathered in East Twin Park Tuesday afternoon for the formal opening of Webster City’s newest recreational amenity: a splash pad.

Controversial when first suggested, due to concerns over construction and operating costs and water usage, the new facility has proven its popularity among kids of all ages and their parents as well in just the few days since its been in operation.

Councilwoman Abby Hansen, who spoke at the opening, said, “I’m so excited for this. We’ve envisioned this for so long, and now that it’s here, it’s clear we made the right decision to go ahead with it.

Megan McFarland, also a City Council member who supported the project, said,

“I was here last Saturday and pleased to see so many families out and enjoying it, even before it was officially open. I’m so glad we could open it this year and take advantage of the summer weather we’re having right now.”

Looking at an estimated 30 kids playing in the water, Councilman Logan Welch added, “I was here Sunday with my kids and they love it. It’s not just a hit, but a smash hit.”

Commenting on projected water use, Mayor John Hawkins said he’d recently learned “we might only use 1.5 million gallons of water a year here, not the four million we’d seen in earlier estimates.”

Chamber of Commerce Director Anna Woodward welcomed everyone to the opening, thanked the many sponsors and donors who supported it, and said, “this is just the latest investment in ensuring we create a family friendly environment in Webster City.”

Splash pads cost less than a swimming pool to build and operate, don’t require a lifeguard, and can be used by anyone who wants to cool off on a hot summer day.

One estimate puts the total number of splash pads in the country at somewhere between five and ten thousand, and growing by as much as 10% a year.