The City of Brooksville and the Kiwanis Club of Brookville celebrated the completion of the new community Splash Pad with a ribbon cutting on November 8, 2024.
The City of Brooksville and the Kiwanis Club of Brooksville Splash Pad ribbon cutting took place at its location at Tom Varn Park at 10:00 AM and was open to the public. Operational details regarding the Splashpad will be determined at a later date.
At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Mayor Blake Bell welcomed guests, gave a summary of what the Splash Pad will do for the Brooksville community, and introduced the event’s speakers. Former Kiwanis Club President Jared Tanner gave the invocation and Vice Mayor Christa Tanner lead attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance. John Ehlenbeck, the Brooksville Kiwanis Club President, spoke about Geraldine "Gerrie" Bishop, a former Kiwanis Club member who gave the Kiwanis Club of Brooksville a generous donation to put towards the construction of the Splash Pad. Dick Tombrink, the President of the Kiwanis Club Foundation, reflected on the efforts that the Kiwanis Club and the City took to create the Splash Pad and emphasized the excitement that the community will feel about the Splash Pad opening. Mayor Blake Bell made closing remarks, the ribbon was cut, and guests then enjoyed refreshments provided by Downtown Loser, a local nutrition center and restaurant.
Geraldine "Gerrie" Bishop joined the Kiwanis Club in 2003 and served as the Club Secretary for three years. She was also on the Board of Directors in 2008 and was Club President between the years of 2015 and 2016. Additionally, Gerrie served as Division Secretary and Newsletter Editor for Division 8 of the Kiwanis District. Geraldine “Gerrie” Bishop cared greatly for the City of Brooksville and wanted to give children a local, fun and safe way to play and cool off from the Florida heat. Her kindness and commitment to bettering the community allowed for the Splash Pad project to be completed. Gerrie passed away on April 8, 2017, but her love for the City of Brooksville is still evident and appreciated today.
For more information about the City of Brooksville and Kiwanis Club of Brooksville Splash Pad, visit the Parks and Recreation page of the City of Brooksville website at https://www.cityofbrooksville.us/232/Parks-Recreation.