Frankfort’s free splash pad is back open, but proper use is critical to avoid future Closures.
Frankfort’s municipal splash pad has reopened after a brief closure caused by contaminated water, with city officials urging families to follow basic hygiene guidelines to avoid future shutdowns.
Splash Pad Closure and Reopening
Mayor Judy Sheets said the splash pad was closed for about four days after a water sample failed testing, requiring a full cleaning and sanitization process. “When the parks department sends that (sample) in to get it tested, if it does not pass, then we have to shut the splash pad down,” Sheets said on Wednesday’s Party Line program on WILO and Boone 102.7 FM. “We have to totally clean it, sanitize it, refill it, put chemicals in it, and… it takes 24 hours to get back the sample results.”
Sheets described the failed sample as severe, noting it contained waste contamination. “If people would have seen the sample that I saw, they would not have wanted their children in there,” she said.
The mayor emphasized that the splash pad recirculates water rather than using a constant fresh supply, making proper use by visitors essential. She encouraged parents to ensure young children wear appropriate swim diapers and use restrooms beforehand.
“It’s a great amenity for our community and it’s free,” Sheets said. “We just ask that citizens take care when they go in there… and use it properly.” In addition to the water issue, a mechanical problem with the splash pad’s bucket feature remains under investigation. Sheets said a contractor may need to run a camera under the concrete to check for a possible crack, which could delay repairs until later in the season.
Roundhouse Demolition Moving Forward
Sheets also provided an update on the long-discussed roundhouse property, saying the project has cleared a key regulatory step. According to the mayor, the city recently received approval from a state historical commission, allowing work to proceed. “They approved, so we’re going to be working towards getting that down,” Sheets said.
The project is supported by a $250,000 READI grant, which must be used by the end of September. Sheets said the city hopes to move quickly to meet that deadline and improve the appearance of the site. “We don’t like to see that in our community either, but we’re doing what we can to move forward on it,” she said, noting the property is not owned by the city but by a separate entity.
Exide Property Poses Ongoing Challenge
Another major concern discussed was the former Exide site, which continues to present environmental and financial hurdles. Sheets said the property is now held by the Exide Environmental Response Trust under oversight from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management. However, the trust has run out of funding. “This is the first year that they’ve actually said we do not have the money to maintain them,” Sheets said.
As a result, the city has begun handling basic maintenance like mowing, though even that effort has faced setbacks, including equipment breakdowns. Any broader cleanup effort would be costly. “You’re probably talking hundreds of thousands, if not a million, of dollars to… remediate that area,” Sheets said, adding that the expense makes redevelopment unlikely in the near term.
City officials are exploring legal options, including potential access to the fenced property, but Sheets cautioned that any action must follow proper procedures to avoid additional costs or liabilities.
Code Enforcement and Community Cooperation
Sheets said the city has also received increased complaints about property maintenance during the summer months. She noted that code enforcement staff are actively addressing issues but must follow a structured process before taking action. “We now have… about two and a half [staff] out on code enforcement,” she said. “They’re very, very busy at this time.”
Residents are given time to address issues such as tall grass before the city intervenes. If the city completes the work, costs may be charged to the property owner or placed as a lien.
Sheets encouraged residents to contact her office directly with concerns rather than relying on social media and suggested neighbors lend a hand when possible.
“Help your neighbor,” WILO Party Line Co-Host Melissa Miller said. “You don’t know what’s going on… and why they can’t get their yard mowed.”
