A beloved family man will have his memory live on through a new splash pad in Bright's Grove.
The Kenwick Park Splash Pad, made possible through a donation from the Pat and Val Gladwish Foundation, was officially unveiled on Thursday.
“This splash pad is dedicated to the memory of my husband Pat," said Val Gladwish in a media release. "He was an extraordinary man, and it is our family’s hope that this space will bring joy to generations of families and serve as a lasting reminder of the incredible person he was and the positive impact he had on all that knew him."
A memorial plaque will be installed, with the text: “This splash pad was created in loving memory of Patrick John Gladwish, 1953 to 2023."
The splash pad, designed by Architects Tillman Ruth Robinson, includes a rubberized play surface, sand area, hand pump, and naturalized landscape elements.
The splash pad will be open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
“Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of the Pat and Val Gladwish Foundation, Kenwick Park will continue its tradition as a place where families come together and children can simply enjoy being kids,” said Mayor Mike Bradley in a statement.
The city will cover the ongoing maintenance and operational costs.
Southwest Fence and Decks began construction of the splash pad in October 2025, after city council approved the donation in March 2025.
During the project, swings were removed from the site. New swings will be added as part of the future playground replacement.
