With plenty of room for more fun, the Village of Laurium will add a universally accessible splash pad to the George Gipp Recreation Area this summer, with a $20,000 grant from the Copper Shores Shores Wellness and Outdoor Recreation Fund. (Photo courtesy of Laurium Village)

LAURIUM — As the village continues to recover from the devastating fire at its Department of Public Works garage last month, the village administrators and Council have not stopped looking improvements in other areas of the village.

Village Manager Ian Lewis said that the village is preparing to create the Splashing Through Laurium Splash Pad, which will be located at the George Gipp Recreation Area. The universally accessible splash pad will be built this summer.

A splash pad, also known as a spray pool or spray park, is a recreational area for water play with little to no standing water, featuring interactive water features like jets and nozzles that spray water from the ground.

In January 2025, Laurium was awarded a $20,000 grant from Copper Shores Community Health Foundation through the its Wellness and Outdoor Recreation Fund as part of the village’s Get Active Initiative. The initiative aims to promote physical activity for everyone without worry of physical or financial ability.

In the Fall 2024 Field of Interest Grants cycle, Keweenaw Community Foundation awarded 17 different organizations across six funds, including the Community Wellness and Outdoor Recreation Fund. Laurium was among the recipients.

“The future design of the splash pad is still being reviewed,” said Lewis, “as we are still fundraising to make an even more vibrant splash pad.”

Lewis said this is a new  era of Parks and Recreation Redevelopment via the Laurium Get Active Initiative.

“Hopefully we have more exciting grant news regarding the future splash pad in the very near future,” Lewis said. “This project will be universally-friendly so that all individuals can participate and Splash Through Laurium.”