NILES — The ribbon was cut Friday morning on the $4.6 million Waddell Park renovation that includes a large splash pad, a new playground, a gazebo and new LED-lit baseball fields.

The project finished slightly ahead of schedule despite earlier delays, according to Mayor Steve Mientkiewicz.

Originally slated to debut by July 4, 2024, the overhaul faced hurdles with grant approvals and design work, pushing the target completion date to this spring. The crown jewel of the city’s park upgrades is the new splash pad, which replaces the former Waddell Park swimming pool that closed in 2014 and was demolished in 2021.

Mientkiewicz previously cited fiscal responsibility as the driving factor behind the switch, noting that the long-term costs of maintaining a public pool — including insurance, security and upkeep — were unsustainable. The splash pad is part of a broader redevelopment that includes a modern playground, gazebo, restrooms and an asphalt parking lot off Sharkey Drive.

“There’s lots of kids at the park daily, ready to enjoy the new playground, and it’s great to see that with summer coming up,” Mientkiewicz said. “An improved park system is something special for our community. It’s truly exciting to watch this project come together — from securing the grant to the initial design, the detailed planning, the construction, and now seeing it all take shape. It’s been a journey, but the community’s fully behind it, eager to see both the parks and our downtown riverfront project come to life.”

Adjacent to the splash pad, three baseball fields — Fiedor, Stabile and South — have undergone major renovations, including full turf installations with dual striping for soccer and flag football. The fields already feature Major League Baseball-grade LED lighting. Drainage systems also were overhauled to address long standing flooding issues, including the repair of a critical 18-inch storm line running beneath the fields.

“This will be the best baseball facility in Trumbull County,” said Niles Parks and Recreation Director Mark Pallante. “The multi-sport functionality means we can host tournaments, bringing in visitors who will support local businesses.”

The project, initially projected at $5.5 million, was funded by a $2.5 million federal grant, supplemented by a $2 million city bond and additional $100,000 in park funds.

Beyond Waddell Park, several smaller improvements have been completed across the city:

• Iowa Park — New swing sets, basketball court and tree removal.

• Kennedy Park — Repaved surfaces, new basketball hoops and dock staining.

• Stevens Park — A disc golf course installed in 2024, with a 30-foot buffer from residential properties.

• Waddell Bowl — Concession stand reroofing.

• Stump Removal — 30 tree stumps cleared from various parks.