NILES — Starting this month, work will begin on a more than $2.5 million project to add a splash pad, gazebo, playground, ballfield additions, restrooms and other improvements at Waddell Park.

The Niles park board and Parks Director Mark Pallante met recently to review plans for the park work, which could begin this week. The splash pad will replace the former park swimming pool and will be located on the west side of Sharkey Drive, as will the gazebo and restrooms.

He said there are also are plans for a new asphalt parking lot near the splash pad and playground. The current seesaw will be moved and incorporated into the new playground.

Pallante said work is expected to be completed by October and be ready for use in spring 2025.

Turf also is being placed at the Waddell Park ballfields, as well as other improvements at Stabile, Livi, Wilder and Fiedor fields. Pallante said LED lights were installed previously at Fiedor Field and this year at Stabile Field.

Fiedor, Stabile and South fields also are to receive fencing and infield and outfield turf. The turf will be installed by Field of Play.

Park board member Harry Salapata said next spring, the splash pad and playground will be well used by local children.

Pallante said the playground should be able to be used some this year when completed, weather permitting. Daniel Terreri and Sons were awarded the contract for the construction project.

Park board members said the projects total more than $4 million. In 2022, Niles was awarded a $2.5 million federal grant through Congressman Tim Ryan’s office to go toward improvements at the park.

In addition to the federal funds received, Auditor Giovanne Merlo said city council awarded the park an additional $2 million to help pay for the projects through the sale of bonds.

Pallante said in addition to work at Waddell Park, other projects planned or having been completed include $25,000 worth of improvements — including new swing sets, trees removed from play area and installation of a basketball court — at Iowa Park; repaving, new striping and new hoops for the basketball court at Kennedy Park; reroofing of the concession stand at Waddell Bowl; staining of the dock by the river at Kennedy Park; and concrete work at park restrooms and new benches at the soccer field at Stevens Park.

He said plans are to also put in a disc golf course at Stevens Park, which will be done this year.

Pallante said the layout for the disc golf is being worked on and will be 30 feet from any residential property.

The removal of 30 tree stumps from the various parks also is planned.

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