The American Water Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization established by American Water, the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., and Kentucky American Water joined other leaders yesterday in a ceremonial ribbon-cutting for an unveiling of Splash! in Charles Young Park, a new all-inclusive splash pad and water play experience in the City of Lexington.

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Members of the Kentucky American Water team, including Susan Lancho, Sr. Manager, External and Government Affairs, were joined by State Rep. George Brown, Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton, Bluegrass Community Foundation Executive Director Lisa Adkins, Lexington Councilmembers Tayna Fogle, James Brown and Chuck Ellinger, and Commissioner of Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs Whitney Allen, among others, in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. (Photo: Business Wire)

“Kentucky American Water is pleased to partner with the American Water Charitable Foundation and the City of Lexington to provide equitable and accessible water-based play spaces to the Lexington community,” said Kathryn Nash, president of Kentucky American Water. “We hope this one-of-a-kind splash pad will also help raise public awareness around the Town Branch, Lexington’s historic water source, and the valuable role we each play in caring for our watersheds.”

Splash! will predominantly serve community members from the east end of the city who previously lacked easy access to water- and nature-based play. Charles Young Park is a historically important park for the community and is on the National Register for Historic Places. Splash! helps to further celebrate the life of the Brigadier General, who, in addition to his many other accomplishments in the military, music and education, was the first African American to serve as superintendent of a national park. Additionally, the splash pad will encourage water stewardship through educational signage and conservation programs highlighting the splash pad features.

“What a wonderful addition to Charles Young, bringing water play space downtown and to the East End neighborhood, while telling the story of Brigadier General Charles Young,” said Mayor of Lexington, Linda Gorton.

Splash! was made possible, in part, with a $250,000 donation provided by the American Water Charitable Foundation.

“Through our work, we have found that splash pads are a wonderful way to help provide water access for all while supporting our conservation focus and engaging community members in environmental education,” said Carrie Williams, president of the American Water Charitable Foundation. “We are grateful for our continued partnership with Kentucky American Water and the City of Lexington, and hope the community enjoys this wonderful new space for many years to come.”

Learn more about the American Water Charitable Foundation here.

Learn more about Kentucky American Water’s community impact here.

About American Water

American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

As one of the fastest growing utilities in the U.S., American Water expects to invest $30 to $34 billion in infrastructure repairs and replacement, system resiliency and regulated acquisitions over the next 10 years. The company has a long-standing history of executing its core operations, aligned with sustainable best practices, through its commitments to safety, affordability, customer service, protecting the environment, an inclusive workforce and strengthening communities.

American Water has been recognized on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for the fifth consecutive year, ranked 18^th on Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies 2023 List, earned the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act designation and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense® Excellence Award, among additional state, local and national recognitions.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

About Kentucky American Water 

Kentucky American Water, a subsidiary of American Water, is the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high-quality and reliable water and wastewater services to approximately 555,000 people.

About American Water Charitable Foundation 

The American Water Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides a formal way to demonstrate the company’s ongoing commitment to be a good neighbor, citizen, and contributor to the communities where American Water and its employees live, work and operate. For more information, visit amwater.com/awcf and follow the American Water Charitable Foundation on Facebook.

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