Summer may be almost over but that didn’t stop a few dozen Ironton youth from enjoying a little fun in the sun earlier this week.

It has been a long time coming, and not without its share of hurdles, but the Friends of the Ironton officially opened its sprayground on Third Street in Ironton.

The project was welcomed by more than 30 children who enjoyed getting wet, running around and having a good time.

This current phase is just the first step as more amenities and development will be added later this year and be ready to go by 2011.

This project, funded completely by the volunteer efforts of the grassroots civic organization, will benefit our community because it is geared towards free family entertainment at virtually no cost to the government or the taxpayers.

The Friends of Ironton should be commended for their efforts in this project that became far more of an undertaking than any of them ever realized.

But, in keeping true to their goals to improve the community, the Friends stayed the course and worked to overcome the hurdles and create something for generations to come.

The naysayers will point out all the reasons this isn’t a good thing but this type of positive approach shows what a handful of committed citizens can do when they set their minds toward making a difference.

Rather than sitting on the sidelines, the Friends of Ironton jumped straight into the deep end feet first.

Our community is better for it.