Williston Water World : A Community Built Dream Come True
Williston Water World is a vibrant new outdoor water park that stands as a testament to the spirit, generosity, and collaboration of our community. After more than a decade without a public outdoor pool, the Williston Community Builders partnered with the Pool Action Committee to turn a long-held dream into reality. Together, they led a volunteer-driven fundraising campaign that raised over $17 million through community events, grant applications, corporate and individual donations, and countless acts of support from residents and local businesses.
Since the very first fundraiser in June 2021, efforts like Festival of Trees, “Pumping for a Pool,” golf tournaments, giving day events, and more brought the community together around the shared vision of a place where families, kids, and visitors can enjoy summer fun and make lasting memories. Generous pledges—from major donors to small-town supporters—propelled the project forward and demonstrated what’s possible when neighbors unite behind a common goal.
The City of Williston donated a perfect 3-acre location, and the project followed public bidding protocols even as it remained privately funded. Today, Williston Water World is owned and operated by Williston Parks & Recreation and has quickly become a cornerstone of year-round community pride and recreation
For all things pool related and answers to common questions, be sure to check out the website at: willistonparks.com/williston-water-world
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Williston Water World OFFICALLY broke ground in the fall of 2023 and was FULLY operational Summer 2025! We are so grateful to all of our donors and want you to know we could not have done it without you! The excitement in the community has been tremendous, and we can't not wait to watch it flourish for years to come!
Food Insecurity Initiative
In 2026 Williston Community Builders has BIG plans to take meaningful, concrete steps to help in the fight against hunger and food insecurity. Our initiative includes supporting local food banks so they can keep their shelves stocked year-round; working with Meals on Wheels programs to better serve seniors and veterans; filling local schools pantries; and launching a network of Little Free Pantries throughout Williston, offering 24/7 access to essential food items for families in need. Our goal is simple: to build a stronger, more secure community where no one goes hungry.
Little Free Pantry Project
Williston's Little Free Pantries
MORE INFO ON THIS UPCOMING PROJECT IS COMING SOON!!
Little Free Pantries are neighborhood-based, mini food banks in small, weatherproof boxes where people can anonymously "take what you need, give what you can," providing immediate access to food, operating 24/7 with no barriers, unlike traditional pantries with applications or set hours, fostering community and mutual aid. Inspired by Little Free Libraries, these grassroots efforts are stocked by community members to support neighbors facing sudden or ongoing food insecurity, supplementing larger food banks and reducing stigma.
Local Project Partnering and Support
Expanding Dental Care Access for Low-Income Families on Medicaid
We’re partnering with Eckert Youth Home to bring the Ronald McDonald House CareMobile mobile dental unit to Williston. This fully equipped mobile dental clinic will park at an identified location in town for a set number of days, offering free dental care — from routine checkups to more complex procedures — to low-income families on Medicaid. Access to dental care for Medicaid patients is a growing need in our area, and this is one meaningful way we can help bridge the gap.
Supporting Bethel Lutheran Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
Bethel Lutheran is constructing a $72 million facility at Williston Square to serve local seniors. They’ve launched a capital campaign to raise $28 million over the next three years, and we want to help kickstart this important effort. Supporting this project means supporting seniors in our community and ensuring they receive the quality care they deserve, right here at home.
Comfort & Care for Children Facing Abuse
Comfort & Care for Children Facing Abuse
We’re supporting the new Children’s Advocacy Center in Williston, established through the Connect Us Foundation, which will provide comprehensive prevention, identification, investigation, prosecution, and treatment services for child abuse cases in Williston. To support this critical work, Williston Community Builders will provide care packages and comfort items — such as tie blankets, stuffed animals, and clothing — to children who come through the center. We believe every child deserves comfort, dignity, and support during difficult times, and we’re proud to contribute to this essential resource for our community.
Community Garden Project
Williston's Community Garden
We are so excited to hand over operations of the Community Garden to the Olive Motherhood Foundation!! They have graciously taken on the task of getting planters rented and filled, beautifying and maintaining the grounds and hosting fun, family events! Check out their website, olivemotherhoodfoundation.com and their FB page for all the info on events and renting plots!
We opened the gardens, Fall of 2024, with a few planters being utilized for some Fall planting. This project will be a huge asset to our community and will be a beautiful, serene space for all to enjoy. The garden is located off of East Broadway, south of the Williston ARC. Stay tuned for more info on acquiring a spot for the upcoming season!
What is a community garden? The American Community Gardening Association defines community garden broadly. A community garden can be urban, suburban, or rural. It can grow flowers, vegetables—or community. It can be one community plot or many individual plots. It can be located at a school, hospital, or in a neighborhood.
Another way of thinking about community gardens are as “community-managed open spaces." These differ from a park or public space where some other entity ultimately decides the purpose of the site and maintains it. Community gardens are where the residents of a community are empowered to design, build, and maintain spaces in the community.
What is the purpose of a community garden? Community gardens are collaborative projects on shared open spaces where participants share in the maintenance and products of the garden, including healthful and affordable fresh fruits and vegetables. Results suggest that community gardens were perceived by gardeners to provide numerous health benefits, including improved access to food, improved nutrition, increased physical activity and improved mental health. Community gardens were also seen to promote social health and community cohesion.
Little Free Library Project
Williston's Little Free Libraries
Little Free Library is the world’s largest book-sharing movement! Little Free Libraries don't just increase access to books...they create friendlier neighborhoods and expand literary horizons!
They are building community, inspiring readers and expanding book access for all.
Did you know that 3 out of 4 people report that they've read a book they normally would not have read because of a Little Free Library? Or that 73% of people say they've met more neighbors because of a Little Free Library? And 92% of people say their neighborhood feels like a friendlier place because of a Little Free Library! How amazing!!
This project was one of the first projects that Williston Community Builders completed after merging with Williston Friendly Faces. You can find numerous decorated libraries up all over town. Feel free to take a book next time you come across one!
Playground & Splash Pad
Williston Community Builders Playground
The flagship project of Williston Community Builders is one that is benefiting all of Williston by enhancing the quality of life in the community. Williston Community Builders committed to building a big, beautiful playground that represented the regions two largest economic interests; agriculture and energy development.
While Williston Community Builders took the point position on the project, the desire was to motivate and mobilize others throughout Williston to take an ownership position in making this world-class playground a reality. The playground was a community built project. Volunteers were a big part of the equipment assembly that helped build a sense of community while creating a key asset in Williston.
The playground is located in Davidson Park.
Davidson Park Splash Pad
The Splash Pad was the second key asset taken on and completed by the Williston Community Builders. The Splash Pad was opened in October of 2011 and on a beautiful day, nearly 500 children and families came to enjoy the of summer and celebrate the newly finished Splash Pad.
A comprehensive preliminary budget was developed including the playground, splash pad, landscaping, signage, build day activities and certification. The budget was developed with the appropriate vendors and had been discussed with several members of the Williston business community for input and guidance.