HASTINGS, Neb. – Residents of Hastings now have another aquatic attraction open after a complete renovation to a city splash pad.

On Thursday morning, the Libs Park splash pad reopened to the public for the first time this year. 

The splash pad was forced to close in late summer of 2024, due to a vandalism of the facility's actuator, which starts the water. 

The renovations, which were already planned before the vandalism, began in March, and were completed in May. 

The total cost of the new splash pad is around $260,000, which was paid for with the city’s allotment of American Rescue Plan Act funds.

According to a city news release, the splash pad aimed to reopen during Memorial Day weekend, but was delayed due to contractor and weather delays. 

Hastings Parks and Rec told NCN that the splash pad is completely new, and is noticeably bigger due to an extension of concrete on the east side of the pad. 

The water park also added a second actuator on the pad, which turns on the water when a hand is waved over it. 

Parks and Rec say they decreased the amount of running time of each activation from 15 minutes to four minutes, in order to save water. 

On Wednesday, the city laid 8,000 square feet of sod around the park. Officials are asking people to stay off the sod and bare dirt nearby the splash pad until it has a chance to settle. 

The Libs Park splash pad is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. seven days a week and is free to use.