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(Holly Jackson/WDN)

(Holly Jackson/WDN)

(Holly Jackson/WDN)

(Holly Jackson/WDN)

(Holly Jackson/WDN)

(Holly Jackson/WDN)

(Holly Jackson/WDN)

(Holly Jackson/WDN)

Summer may be slowing down, but the fun at Washington’s new splash pad is just beginning. On Wednesday, Aug. 21, the City of Washington officially opened a new splash pad for local kids and kids at heart. 

“This is so exciting for the community and also for the kids. It does my heart joy to see the kids out and having such a wonderful time,” Mayor of Washington Donald Sadler said after a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday. 

Sadler and Councilman Anthony Tyre encourage the community to come play at the splash pad located at 231 E 7th Street. 

The splash pad opened immediately after the ribbon cutting ceremony. Dozens of children from Washington were doused by buckets of water and soaked by sprinklers. Every 15 minutes, someone had to restart the equipment, because the splash pad operates on a timer to conserve water. 

From idea to execution, it took nearly a year to bring the splash pad to life. To see children having fun and hearing their squeals was worth the work put into planning and constructing the pad, City Manager Jonathan Russell said. 

He continued to say that with the opening of the splash pad, the City of Washington is able to offer residents another amenity. In addition, Washington hopes the splash pad will attract people outside of Beaufort County to the area, because it is free to the public. 

“It’s a great amenity for the city, the community and region as a whole. I think it will be utilized by a lot of people, and it will be a good draw for the area for people to come and see. It’s very exciting to see the end result,” Russell said. 

Hours of operation are to be determined, because Parks and Recreation would like to collect data on which days and times residents use the splash pad the most, Parks and Recreation Director Kristi Roberson said. Hours of operation will be based on that data. Washington Parks and Recreation is also looking at how other cities schedule when their splash pads open and close. 

Both Roberson and Russell said the splash pad will likely operate between Memorial Day and Labor Day, but this could change with the data Parks and Recreation collects. Russell said the splash pad may stay open until October, because the arrival of parts and materials for the splash pad were delayed. 

At the Feb. 12 meeting, city council members voted unanimously in favor of spending $398,738 with Vortex Aquatic Structures International to build the splash pad. According to city council meeting minutes, the idea of building a splash pad has been discussed for at least two years. 

Council member Richard Brooks is the liaison between city council and Parks and Recreation. The splash pad, he said, “when you come to the city, you pay your taxes, you expect good things to happen to you. By us looking out for our citizens of Washington, it encourages someone else to come here and build something to help us to go further.”  

“We have been so blessed that council has provided us with so many opportunities,” Roberson said. “To be such a small town, we are very lucky and very blessed to have the opportunities to get out and play that we have.” 

Stacey Fuldner, of Pinetown Proper in Washington, said her children were excited for the splash pad to open. 

“It’s great for the kids to burn some energy even if it’s for 30 minutes,” Fuldner said. “My two boys love it. We were excited about it.” 

Near the splash pad is a new mural that highlights Washington’s Latinx community, a basketball court, a skate park, a playground and Bobby Andrews Recreation Center. Parks and Recreations would like to add picnic shelters in the future. 

Roberson would like to thank the Parks and Recreation maintenance staff for their help in making the splash pad fun for all.

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