Splash Park Set to Open on Saturday

Winchester’s long-awaited at is finally ready to open. The grand opening celebration will be Saturday, May 28. There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony with State Senator Patricia Jehlen and State Representative Jason Lewis in attendance.

Games and activities are planned from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with concessions provided by the . Park admission will be free for the day.

The splash park was the dream of former (FAN) president Elizabeth Angelino, who believed Borrgaard Beach was an underutilized resource and envisioned a way to revitalize the space. Angelino, now a chair of FAN's splash park offshoot, FANSplash, recently recalled one of many moments when she desperately wished for a splash park.

It was a hot afternoon last spring, and her son’s baseball game had just finished.

“They got off the field and and, you know that red face?" Angelino asked. "They’re sweaty, they’re hot.”

Another of Angelino’s three children had a game coming up later that afternoon, so there was no point in going home. Borggaard Beach was not yet open for the season, and there weren’t many choices for cooling down.

“So we got an ice cream cone and we walked around town. We saw so many families doing the same thing,” Angelino said. “Now imagine you could go to the splash park.”

That will finally be a reality. The new splash pad is 3,000 square feet and features 19 water spray elements. But Angelino is quick to point out that’s not all.

“What we’ve been focusing on is to create a community space,” she said. “We’re creating a space that is multigenerational.”

In order to create that community space, FANSplash planted three new trees and installed three new picnic benches, a new swing set, a tire swing, and a bike rack. They also put in decorative elements like window boxes and large concrete planters.

Angelino is thrilled the splash park is about to open after nearly two years of planning and fundraising, but is quick to point out the project involved many people and will affect an entire community.

“I think there are a lot of people who are happy,” Angelino said. “I made the calls, but I wouldn’t have been able to raise $200,000 in a year if the project didn’t resonate with people.”

Not only will the splash park be a great resource for Winchester residents, Angelino said, but it will soon generate money for the town, offsetting the costs for keeping up Borggaard Beach. Because it is zero-entry, there’s no lifeguard required at the splash park, allowing it to stay open up to 20 weeks in season.

In addition, the and are both integrating the splash park into their summer programs, generating additional income. Birthday parties are another anticipated revenue source; in fact, Angelino’s son will be among the first to hold a birthday party at the park.

“Now you have a splash park and picnic tables, so you can bring 25 kids. Lifeguards do water games and activities. You just bring the cake. And it’s $150 for 25 kids,” Angelino said. “It’s revenue. In a recession, you’re creating revenue. Here’s a shining example of how, with a little creative thinking, you’re creating revenue for the town and you’re creating a great resource. It’s a win-win.”

After May 28, the splash park will be open on weekends only until June 21, when it will be open every day from noon to 5 p.m. Daily passes are $4 for children over 18 months and $5 for adults. Season passes are available. Swimsuits are required for splash park use. For more information, contact the . For more splash park photos and information on FANSplash, visit the FANSplash Facebook page.