Young boy memorialized with new Culver water park

A Friday groundbreaking in Culver means more than just a new water park for the town. The Culver Splash Pad will honor 10-year-old Brandon Johnson.

“He was born with half a heart, so the hospital was nothing new to him. He was almost 6 years old when we found the first brain cancer,” said Brandon’s father, Wayne Johnson.

After treatment, Brandon had to relearn basic functions, including walking and talking. He made a nearly full recovery.

In fact, Johnson said Brandon lived a normal life — until last February.

“We found another brain tumor, and it was a different type of cancer — and that particular type was not treatable,” Johnson said .

Brandon passed away last June.

The community of just over 1,300 residents responded by raising the almost $60,000 it will take to build the Splash Pad — in just nine months.

“It’s a wonderful community,” said Mayor Nancy Diaz. “If you need help, there’s somebody there to help you.”

Johnson agreed, saying the community has been behind him from the beginning.

“They raised a bunch of money for one of his heart surgeries, they did raffles and spaghetti feeds and all kinds of things, and they brought us meals when he came home after the first brain surgery,” he recalled. “They paid for a lot of the medical equipment. And then this — this is huge.”

He said this tribute is fitting, since Brandon loved the water.

Construction began right after the ceremony. The goal is to have the water park up and running by Memorial Day. A tentative ribbon cutting is scheduled for June 25.

Thanks to added donations, there will be benches and shade to enjoy as well.