MOUNT VERNON — As fair week comes to a close, Mayor Richard Mavis was glad to note that the Hiawatha Water Park held a large flow of traffic with its half-price entrance fee, guests from the Camp Sychar, and the hot weather making the pool a perfect place to stay cool. In past years, the attendance to the water park usually plummeted due to fair events.
“But this year with the hot weather and half-price [entrance fee], it has offset the usual impact the fair has had on the water park,” said Mavis.
With no down days this summer, the water park has been a great success for the city. Attracting further attendance has been the maintenance and upgrades made this year. One new addition has been the frog slide to the kiddy pool.
“The frog slide has paid off with the use of that area,” said Mavis, adding that prior to the addition the area was mostly vacant.
The sidewalk project on Sychar Road steadily continues as the good weather has made concrete pouring efficient, he said.
“They are pretty far out on Sychar Road and are getting in the area of the water park. Once the Sychar Road project is completed, they will be moving to Wooster Road,” said Mavis.
The Braddock Street bridge project is also on the city’s completion list which was partially funded by a Community Development Block Grant of $360,000.
Several things were discovered to hinder the finishing of the Braddock Street bridge project including a gas line found near the old bridge, complications with a sanitary sewer line running directly beneath the bridge, and unstable soil near the creek bed.

kenesha.beheler@mountvernonnews.com