EAST PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) -- East Peoria just got a little wetter as a new splash pad opened up in Levee Park this Wednesday.

The idea was proposed 10 years ago. Costing $3 million, it didn't receive a single cent from taxpayer dollars, being funded by private donations and state grants.

East Peoria Mayor John Kahl said this is the perfect addition to the city's downtown.

"Whether folks come here to shop or dine, you know, you pick up some lunch and you come over here and spend your lunch hour here," he said. "It's just a great space."

The East Peoria Community Foundation is a non-profit organization that led this project. They got most of the private donations, including $250,000 from the Bahnfleth family.

"That was a major gift [it] really got us started," said Sue Portscheller the p

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