Today, Assemblymember Monica P. Wallace and Village of Lancaster Mayor William Schroeder were joined by members of the Lancaster community to dedicate the village’s Richmond Avenue splash pad and surrounding park as the Ronald L. Hadsall Memorial Park in honor of former Village of Lancaster Mayor Ronald Hadsall. Prior to the dedication, Wallace and Schroeder announced several new additions to the splash pad and park that have been completed over the summer months, making the park safer and more comfortable for children, parents, and guardians, and more cost efficient for the village to operate. The improvements were funded by a $125,000 state grant secured by Wallace.

“During the hot summer months, generations of Lancaster families have enjoyed the splash pad to cool off and have fun,” said Assemblymember Wallace. “I’m glad that I was able to secure funding to facilitate much needed updates and safety improvements, giving families peace of mind while kids enjoy the water. In addition, it is great to have Mayor Hadsall’s family join us as we dedicate the park in Ronald’s honor, further cementing the value Lancaster residents have on keeping our community’s rich history intertwined with its exciting future.”

“For over 50 years, the splash pad has been a beloved place for friends and families to enjoy summer days,” said Village of Lancaster Mayor William Schroeder. “In partnership with Assemblymember Wallace, we were able to greatly improve the splash pad and surrounding park, making it more comfortable and safer by adding a shelter, barriers to protect the area from road traffic, and tables and benches for families to enjoy. In addition, we are erecting a sign to pay tribute to former Lancaster Mayor Ronald Hadsall and officially naming the park after him. I appreciate Assemblymember Wallace’s dedication to the residents of the Village of Lancaster and for working with us to ensure important projects like this have the resources to move forward.”

Wallace and Schroeder announced in June that state funding was in place for the project and that Lancaster Department of Public Works employees would be working at the park throughout the summer. Wallace and Schroeder commended the DPW staff and employees for doing so in a non-intrusive way, allowing families to enjoy the splash pad throughout the season uninterrupted. Improvements focused on the comfort, safety, and efficiency of the park, including the pouring of a new concrete pad and the addition of a shelter with benches and tables for families to relax while kids use the splash pad, a new flag pole with a flag that was flown over the United States Capitol, bicycle racks, and a sign designating the park as the Ronald L. Hadsall Memorial Park.

Several elements of the project remain and will be completed soon, including: the paving of an off-street parking area; the installation of barriers, such as boulders, near the road to shield the park from vehicle traffic; and the installation of an automated water shut-off valve, which will conserve water and municipal resources.

With Mayor Hadsall’s family in attendance, the group unveiled a sign designating the park as the Ronald L. Hadsall Memorial Park. Mayor Hadsall’s daughter, Roxanne, noted that the family is “excited that the village is honoring and preserving his legacy for future generations to learn from and enjoy.”
Students from nearby Como Park Elementary School joined in on the celebration, leading those gathered in the Pledge of Allegiance. Principal Mary Marcinelli commented that students at her school love using the park and look forward to the splash pad opening each year.

"Como Park students have enjoyed being located right across the street from the Lancaster Town Splash Pad,” said Principal Marcinelli. “The students look forward to playing in it every spring. The new improvements have made this an even safer place for our students to have fun! Thank you!"

Wallace noted that celebrations like today’s are becoming common in Lancaster, referring to planned improvements along Central Avenue and West Main Street in the village. Last month, Wallace hosted Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie for a tour of the village and discussed with him what she envisions as the state’s role in Lancaster development going forward.

“If you haven’t taken the short drive to Lancaster recently, we welcome you to visit our community and discover the many reasons why we love Lancaster,” concluded Wallace.