palatine park

Marion County has a great thing started at this park. This is a newly constructed park with a sound stage, water fountain park for the kids and the start of a playground, and a boat ramp. The potential is there for a major attraction. Keep it up Marion County.

Opened in June 2014, this automated and free splash park for children features clean restrooms, umbrellaed picnic tables and a lovely riverside escape to kill an hour or two relaxing while your children splash away the heat on a warm summer's day. Located right along the river and at the base of the new Gateway Corridor into downtown Fairmont, essentially under the Mollohan/"Million Dollar" high level bridge, it's convenient to most Fairmont neighborhoods and to I-79 for those passing by and just looking for a rest stop. As an added bonus it is adjacent to the newly rebuilt stage at Palatine Park and a new riverfront walkway area that also features picnic tables and BBQ grills, so you can make an afternoon or evening out of this stop as well.The splash pad is fully automated, with children placing their hands on a post that turns on the water for 5 minute timed intervals. This creates an enjoyable "race" to the post when the water turns off. As a popular new spot, there are most always children present, so you can imagine the water doesn't stay off for long.Maybe not worth a trip to Fairmont just for the splash pad itself, but it is free, and can be combined with a visit to the Wave Tec wave pool at the top of the hill in East Marion Park, the dog park, tennis, playgrounds or the like in East Marion Park, or visit the new, small Gateway Corridor park just off the new Corridor on the way down the hill from I-79.If you're visiting, enjoy lunch or dinner at Pufferbellies, the famous Poky Dot, Fujiyama, Dairy Creme Corner, Muriales, Cantoni's Pizza (NYC style large one toppings for ~$10!), Copper House Grill, newly famous Heston's Farm (where the kids can maybe try their hand at pumping around a small oval track on a hand powered rail car), all locally owned good dining choices. Hopefully the Aquarium Lounge and City Grill will recover from recent fires and reopen soon as well. Yes, Fairmont offers a big assortment of your favorite corporate eateries as well, but why not support local establishments and keep the money closer?