Trees and grasses have been deemed a final step at the Adams Street Plaza's splash pad.
Landscaping projects began last week and will complete the final stages of the splash pad, which opens Friday after students are released from school.
Deb Sutherland, Fort Calhoun's community coordinator, said the landscaping was the final touch the Adams Street Plaza needed.
"Basically, it started out as just barren ground where the two maintenance buildings were," she said. "There were no trees or grass — it was pretty ugly."
The greenery also lines the trail along the Adams Street Plaza.
Sutherland said not only does the greenery provide beauty to the plaza, but it will help provide shade to the splash pad when children start to enjoy it this summer.
Sutherland said it was important to include aesthetically-pleasing, yet low maintenance trees, grasses and plants. The Enhancement Committee will be in charge of helping the upkeep of the greenery.
Also lining the splash pad are 92 bricks that were purchased by several groups and individuals around the community.
The Friends of the Fort Calhoun Splash Pad Committee created a fundraiser for those who wanted to support the splash pad without spending a large amount of money, said Sutherland.
The bricks were $250 each, and those who purchased put their family names, business names and even names in memory of people who passed away.
Every grade from elementary to high school purchased a brick to display, as well.
"We gave everybody an opportunity to donate in some way or another," Sutherland said. "It just showed a lot of community support."
The grand opening for the splash pad will be Friday at noon. There will be music, food and a ribbon cutting event.
