Buffalo splash pad inspired by boy's death from brain tumor

Buffalo community building tribute to local boy

The Buffalo community is coming together to build a splash pad to honor a local boy who died from a brain tumor. FOX 9's Mary McGuire has the story.

BUFFALO, Minn. (FOX 9) - When life gives you a rainy day, play in the puddles. That's exactly what little Andrew Haggenmiller did in his short life.

After being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive brain tumor, he passed away months before his 5th birthday.

How the Splash Pad came together

Why you should care:

At a gathering to remember the boy a few years ago, family friend Amber Zednik had an idea.

"All of a sudden, I had this image in my head of Andrew's rain boots sitting on a fountain or a splash pad, so he is forever splashing," said Zednik.

That's when the idea for a splash pad was born, a plan that is now taking shape near Buffalo's new community center at the remodeled PenRad building.

Splash for Andrew

What they're saying:

"So much of the world didn't get the chance to know Andrew. They didn't get to know his love of splashing in puddles because they didn't get to meet him," said Zednik.

The non-profit Splash for Andrew was created, and the group approached the city. The Parks and Recreation department immediately jumped at the idea.

The non-profit is now raising $240,000 to make it happen, and the city is applying for grants to help the rest of the park take shape.

"We try really hard to keep him in our everyday life. We talk about him all the time," said Vicki Haggenmiller," Andrew's mom. "To have something that we can bring to our community to honor him is exciting."

The park will serve as a way to remember Andrew and serve city's residents as well.

"Buffalo doesn't have a splash pad, so even more reason because it is something that is good for the community that he lived in, the community that he loved," said Zednik.