In efforts to raise money for the splash pad at Friendship Park, members from the Partners for Pearl River County, who call themselves the Cash for Splash Committee, took donations from the community at the intersection of Hwy. 43 N. and Hwy. 11 N. on Saturday, Feb. 14.

Picayune Grounds and Beautification Supervisor Daryl Smith, who’s a member of the committee, said the effort raised $1,575 on Saturday.

“The cost of the splash pad will be $77,000, so our plan is to raise that much,” he said.

The Item reported earlier this month that the Picayune City Council approved the installation of the splash pad.

“The project isn’t going to cost the city a dime, but once the project is completed, we will turn the splash pad over to the city who will maintain it,” Smith said.

Smith said he, along with Kelly Beech, Maj. Chad Dorn and Regina Pierson are working to raise funds for the project.

“We have applied for a couple of grants, and we hope we get it,” Smith said.

In the near future, he said the team plans to hold more fundraisers.

“For now, residents can donate funds to our splash pad account set up at Fireman’s Federal on Goodyear Boulevard and Bank Plus on Memorial Boulevard, which was activated on Friday,” Smith said.

Picayune Main Street Director Reba Beebe said they are also collecting donation checks at Main Street’s office located at 200 Hwy. 11 S. in the train depot.

“I think the splash pad will be something great we can offer to our community and they don’t have to go out of town to enjoy a splash pad. It will be an asset to the community,” Beebe said.

The checks can be made payable to the PRC partners in leadership.

Smith said his team believes the splash pad will be a positive addition to the community.

“We thought it would be something beneficial to the city,” Smith said. “There’s splash pads all over the place now. Poplarville is getting one soon, there’s already one in Slidell and Pearl River in Louisiana. So it would be nice to have one in Picayune to keep our people local.”

Smith said the team will continue raising money until they reach their goal of $77,000.