Santa Fe Park was originally owned by the Santa Fe Railway Corporation and when they no longer needed it, they donated it to the City of Chillicothe. The city then maintained the property as green space, but in 2008, the City of Chillicothe turned control of the park over to the Chillicothe Park District and plans were put in place to renovate the park into what it is today. In 2011, Funds were procured from several sources to cover the $750,000 initial costs which included donations from the Chillicothe Foundation, The Santa Fe Railway Corporation, and the local brick donation program to name a few. Then in 2012 renovations began and were completed later that year.

Most residents with children already know that in the summer months, Santa Fe Park is best known for its Splash Pad. While we weren’t able to take advantage of that prominent feature in 2022 due to the water restrictions from the City of Chillicothe’s water pump repairs, Splash Pad is up and running and available for 2023. What better way to let the kids beat the summer heat than to take advantage of the FREE Splash Pad at Santa Fe Park. While the Chillicothe Park District pays the monthly water bill for this FREE park, the City chips in and pays one month’s bill each summer which in the high-temperature months can be as high as $500. What a nice collaboration between the City of Chillicothe and the Chillicothe Park District for our recreation benefit.

But the Splash Pad isn’t the only feature offered. With the Sandlot Ball Diamond, you can usually find some little league games being played as well as some practice sessions among some aspiring ball players. Located at 1400 N. Benedict Street in the heart of one of Chillicothe’s most historic neighborhoods, Santa Fe Park is a three-and-a-half-acre park packed with features and train-themed décor. Along with Splash Pad and the ball diamond, Santa Fe Park includes 1/4 mile walking path, pavilion, sledding hill, restroom facility, thirty-foot tall twisty slide, and a train engine playground. 

When you visit Santa Fe Park, the usual guidelines apply (see full guidelines at chillicotheparkdistrict.org). But some specific ones for Splash Pad that may sound like fun, but are prohibited are bikes, skateboards, golf carts, rollerblades, and pets. Please keep these to the perimeter sidewalk only. Splash Pad Park Hours are May – June: 9am – 7pm; July: 8am – 8pm; August: 9am – 7pm; September: 10am – 6pm (as weather allows). But the rest of Santa Fe Park is open year-round for our enjoyment.