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CANAL FULTON ‒ Exciting improvements are coming to the city’s Community Park this year.
Officials hope to begin work on a splash pad. Depending on funding, a pavilion featuring locker rooms, restrooms and playground equipment also could be added to the park.
Mayor Joe Schultz said after coming off the completion of several large projects, including the installation of a new water tower and Locust Street improvements, officials had planned for a low-key 2026.
“We needed to take a breather, but we have so much going on right now,” he added. “We are going to focus on working on Community Park this year.”
Canal Fulton master plan
A master plan was developed in 2013 when the city secured the former Puffenberger property, located between the Schalmo Family YMCA, 976 Canal St. S, and the Eugene M. Fellmeth Safety Center at 1165 Locust St.
The initial plan did not include the Schalmo Family YMCA and it was later updated around 2018.
Environmental Designs Group completed a comprehensive plan after seeking input from officials and residents about what they wanted to see in the park. At the top of the list was a splash pad and children’s playground.
The nearly 28-acre park has seen some enhancements over the last few years, including the construction of a 0.8-mile walking track around the property in 2022, a new parking lot and a nine-hole golf disc course that opened in 2024.
All of the projects have been funded by the state’s capital budget through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, officials said.
A $300,000 grant paid for the walking path and disc golf course, a $250,000 grant paid for the parking lot and another $250,000 funded a road that connects the YMCA parking lot with the Northwest Senior Center and Muhlhauser Park.
The city has secured $250,000 from the state for phase four — the construction of the splash pad. The Canal Fulton Rotary Club — which will mark its 100th anniversary this year — has pledged $50,000 toward the project.
City Manager Dan Bucher Jr. said the city has applied for a matching $500,000 grant. Grant winners are expected to be announced in February.
Canal Fulton eyes splash pad
Bucher said they can use the $250,000 state funding as part of the match but they would have to come up with the remainder. That money could come from the general fund, he added. The mayor also has plans to seek funding from local foundations.
How much of the project is completed will depend on the funding, Bucher said.
Estimates put the splash pad construction, pavilion and playground at $1.2 million. A quote put the splash pad cost around $375,000. A smaller version would be around $275,000.
“We really want to blow this out of the water if we can,” Bucher said. “If we can get the (matching) grant, we can afford to do the bigger, if not we may have to do the smaller.”
The city is working with Modern Architects of Canton to develop a plan for the project, he added.
In addition to the splash pad, restrooms and pavilion, plans call for a storage area and possibly a concession stand, Bucher added. But he said final plans will depend on a number of factors, including how much funding they receive.
“We were hoping for a quieter year, but that’s not happening,” Bucher said with a chuckle. “But we defiantly want to focus on the park this year.”
Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: What’s new in Canal Fulton? A planned splash pad, playground
Reporting by Amy L. Knapp, Massillon Independent / The Repository
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