Private Donor to Pay Summer Water Bill for Leetsdale's Popular Splash Pad

Thursday was Leetsdale’s lucky day.

After learning of concerns about the water costs associated with the borough’s , a local business owner has volunteered to pay the pad’s water bill for the entire summer.

Donald Mappin Jr., president of the Leetsdale-based Atlantic Gold Exchange, agreed to pay for water used to operate the popular recreation spot so the borough would not have to charge admission to area families.

In a letter to  Manager Paul Scimio, Mappin stated that “it would be in the best interest of the entire community that the park stays free of charge to residents of Leetsdale, and the surrounding communities.”

In addition to assisting with the water charges, Mappin also said in the letter that he would like to purchase four benches for the park.

“I feel very fortunate with the economy being what it is my business is doing very well,” Mappin, of Mars, told Patch in an interview.

In its general work session Wednesday night, Leetsdale Council agreed that it would begin to to the splash pad in an effort to offset water costs, which tallied up to $3,800 in June.

After a lengthy conversation, council decided that the borough would collect a $3 admission fee from every non-resident of Leetsdale beginning on Monday.

Mappin made the promise after Scimio approached him on Thursday morning. The two know each other through the business meetings Scimio has arranged each quarter with owners of local businesses.

“He was very receptive to the idea. It totally floored me that he wanted the benches too,” Scimio said.

Scimio said he and Mappin would discuss the monthly water payments in the coming weeks as the borough is billed.

“When I’m asked to help out, I try to do what I can, and this just seemed like the right thing to do,” Mappin said.