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The Davie County Community Park is now open, including the long-awaited splashpad.

When the water to the splashpad was turned on last week, Recreation Director Paul Moore said you could see the cars slowing on US 601 South in Mocksville to take a look. Some even stopped to see if it was open.

On Tuesday, the first kids were admitted to the splashpad, probably a few adults, too.

The splashpad was one of the top priorities members of the community picked when selecting features for their new park.

Opening at 50 percent capacity because of the coronavirus, those wishing to use the splashpad are asked to sign up online. Two hour times are being sold, $1 for children, $2 for adults. Visit the recreation and parks website for details, www.daviecountync.gov/dcrp.

On Monday afternoon, county commissioners, chamber of commerce officials, recreation workers and those involved with building the park participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony and tours.

Congressman Ted Budd graduated from high school on the site some 30 years ago. He envisioned on what the park would become to the community in the next 30 years.

“We’ve made this even better for the next generation,” Budd said.

Chuck Taylor, chamber board chair, said he has had to deal with a car full of kids riding by the splashpad on a daily basis. Almost daily, he hears “When is it going to open? When can we go in?”

“This is a wonderful county and a great place to be,” Taylor said. “The energy and the excitement you have created is wonderful.”

“This is a new history … to this sense of place,” said Recreation Director Paul Moore. “It has a sense of purpose by strengthening our community. It’s a calling for us to create impacts. We want our community to be proud of what they helped to create.”

The park features a gym, outdoor stage facing a large green area, shelters, outdoor playgrounds and workout equipment for all ages, a ball field, a football/soccer field with artificial turf, two dog parks, horseshoe and bocce areas, walking trails, an interactive story trail and more.

Recreation offices moved from the Brock building on North Main Street to the new site.

“I couldn’t be prouder to have been given the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing project for a community that I cherish,” Moore said. “It’s a blessing to be able to have a place to work at but where I can raise my children as well.”