PHOTO COURTESY OF THE MID-IOWA ENTERPRISE The State Center splash pad was temporarily closed on Monday due to damages initially thought to be the result of vandalism but ultimately determined to have been caused accidentally.

The State Center splash pad is expected to resume normal operations sometime on Tuesday after temporarily closing due to damages sustained on Sunday afternoon.

Initially, it was believed that an act of vandalism had occurred, but in a social media post shared Monday evening, State Center Police Chief Jon Thomas set the record straight.

“After reviewing the video footage and interviewing the persons at the splash pad at the time of the damage, it has been determined the damage caused to the splash pad was not intentional but a result of the kids playing at the splash pad,” he said. “We appreciate everyone’s help and expect the splash pad to be returned to normal operations sometime (Tuesday) afternoon but without the mushroom.”

As shown in the surveillance footage, the mushroom on the pad was knocked from where it had stood.