Community Effort Brings New Splash Pad to Oneonta
By JOSHUA YOUNGQUIST
ONEONTA
After years of planning, fundraising and community collaboration, construction on a new splash pad at Wilber Park is expected to begin October 19, bringing a long-anticipated family recreation feature one step closer to reality.
Community leaders, donors and project supporters recently gathered at the Wilber Park pool complex to celebrate the launch of the project, which organizers hope will be completed next spring. The splash pad is expected to provide a new destination for children and families while complementing the existing pool facilities.
Speaking on behalf of the Oneonta Family YMCA, Executive Director Frank Russo reflected on the project’s origins.
“What really started several years ago as a conversation kind of turned into a vision, and a vision turned into a plan,” Russo said. “Today, maybe we’re finally going to put a shovel in the ground and get this project started.”
Russo thanked numerous community partners who helped make the project possible, including the City of Oneonta, the Future for Oneonta Foundation, Five Star Subaru and local philanthropist Brian Wright. He emphasized that the splash pad is ultimately a community project created to benefit local children and families.
“It’s not really a Y project, it’s not a city project, it’s not an FOF project,” Russo said. “It’s a community project, and it’s really for the kids.”
Oneonta Mayor Dan Buttermann, who attended the event, praised the partnerships that helped move the splash pad project from concept to construction and highlighted the importance of community-driven investments in improving quality of life across the city.
Russo noted that the project succeeded because of the combined efforts of local government, nonprofit organizations, businesses and residents. He credited the Future for Oneonta Foundation, Five Star Subaru, Brian Wright, city officials and community donors for helping transform the idea into a reality.
Also in attendance was Greg Mattice, City of Oneonta administrator, whose support was recognized alongside that of numerous community partners who helped move the initiative from planning and fundraising into construction.
Representing the Future for Oneonta Foundation, former Mayor Gary Herzig highlighted the broad community support behind the effort.
“What really makes me excited about this project is we had close to 100 people, citizens of Oneonta, donate money toward this construction,” Herzig said. “Some donated $5.00, some donated $500.00. It didn’t matter. People said, ‘I support this community. I want to be a part of this community. I want to make things happen,’ and stepped up and did so.”
Herzig said the project demonstrates what can happen when residents, businesses and organizations unite behind a shared goal.
A major boost to the fundraising campaign came from Five Star Subaru and owner Ben Guenther, whose contributions through Subaru’s Share the Love program helped propel the effort forward. Russo also credited Brian Wright with helping bring the project across the finish line through a matching-gift campaign.
Guenther said community support is one reason his company continues to invest in local projects.
“One of the reasons that we get involved in the community is because this community is so easy to get involved in,” he said. “Everybody pulls together. It’s so rewarding to be involved in that.”
When completed, the splash pad will replace aging aquatic amenities and offer a modern, accessible attraction for families visiting Wilber Park. Organizers say the project stands as a testament to what can be accomplished when local government, businesses, nonprofits and residents work together to invest in the future of their community.
