Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/770139
R ecently, Carnival Cruise Line, along with community dignitaries and local families, celebrated the opening of Splash Island at Atlanta's historic Adams Park. The interactive red, white and blue-colored splash pad, funded in part by Carnival and inspired by Carnival WaterWorks, the cruise line's onboard water experience, is the latest addition to the park's pool area. The day's festivities included a ceremonial ribbon cutting and plaque unveiling presided over by the City of Atlanta in partnership with Carnival executives, former Hawks player and nine-time NBA All-Star Dominique Wilkins, Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Amy Phuong and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. "We are honored to have the opportunity to 'give fun back' to this great community and its families through the creation of 'Splash Island,' which will provide terrific outdoor fun and activity for area youth," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. "Every year, we have the pleasure of welcoming thousands of Atlantans on board our fleet of cruise ships, so we want to bring a bit of our ships to the city, just in time for summer." Following the opening ceremonies, families and their children wasted no time testing the latest, wettest place in town. New lounge chairs, tables and landscaping lining the pool area round out this Atlanta oasis. Park attendees will also be able to enjoy a customized art mural by Miami- based artist Nicole Salgar, which also made its debut today. Carnival Cruise Line partnered with the City of Atlanta to complete Splash Island as part of a larger restoration project. Park Pride also c on- tributed to the transformation of the Adams Park pool. With children out of school and summer officially underway, the fresh new space is expected to become a go-to spot for area residents. "Carnival's assistance with transforming the wading pool area into a more interactive, fun and safe splash pad for children and families to enjoy together will most definitely give fun back to the neighborhood," said Mayor Reed. "We could not be more excited to share this beautiful new space with the community and put it to good use for many years to come." "As an Atlantan, I know that shared community areas like these make big impacts for local families and kids — and I'm thrilled to lend my sup- port to this wonderful project," said Wilkins, who attended with his family. Some of the new fixtures that now adorn Splash Island, including splash buckets and cannons, are a small taste of the WaterWorks experi- ence found on many Carnival cruise ships. This dynamic water park fea- tures hundreds of feet of spiraling water slide fun with the Twister Waterslide and Speedway Splash, which allows cruisers to race one another down a wet-and-wild course. A number of Carnival ports are within driving distance from Atla nta, including Port Canaveral, Fla., which recently welcomed the Carnival Magic. For additional information and reservations for Carnival Cruise Line, contact any travel agent, call (800) CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com . B M & T ••• September/October 2016 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 32 C R U I S E N E W S CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE CELEBRATES OPENING OF SPLASH ISLAND AT ATLANTA'S ADAMS PARK WITH FUN-FILLED EVENT FOR LOCAL COMMUNITY Ceremonial Ribbon Cutting and Plaque Unveiling Highlight Day's Activities as Residents Enjoy Park's Newest Attraction Funded in Part by Carnival, Featuring Appearances by Former Hawks Player and Nine-Time NBA All-Star, Dominique Wilkins and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed Carnival Cruise Line Splash Island