People of all ages will be able to beat the heat this summer at a new splash pad at South Abington Park.
The splash pad, which opened to the public the weekend of Memorial Day, includes new piping, equipment, a water holding tank, shade and spray features installed by Recreation Resource USA of Kennett Square. A button activates the water features.
People enjoy the splash pad at South Abington Community Park in South Abington Twp. Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
Water shoots up from the ground at the splash pad at South Abington Community Park in South Abington Twp. Tuesday, June 3, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Wesley Dagger, 3, of Scranton, runs through the splash pad at South Abington Community Park in South Abington Twp. Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
Jeremy Friedman, 1, of S. Abington Twp., plays in the water at the splash pad at South Abington Community Park in South Abington Twp. Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
Jeremy Friedman, 1, of S. Abington Twp., plays in the water at the splash pad at South Abington Community Park in South Abington Twp. Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
It replaces a splash pad on the same site that opened in 2001. Crews spent last summer ripping out the foam topping material, concrete, piping and equipment on the pad. The work meant the splash pad wasn’t open last summer.
They also installed a pathway compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and replaced the mulch in the playground areas. American Asphalt installed the pathway and handrails.
The splash pad, shade feature and mulch cost $598,340, with the walkway and handrails costing $54,335, township Manager JoAnn Pane said. The township received a $269,300 grant in 2023 from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to put in the new splash pad, with the township covering the remaining costs.
She said the new splash pad was finished last year but wasn’t open to allow crews to finish the blacktop, dirt and grass seeding to tie the walkway to the splash pad and install the benches in the area.
The walkway was finished in April, with dirt and grass seed added last month.
The work was the first time the splash pad’s mechanics have been replaced since the original splash pad opened, Pane previously said.
She said while most of the work is substantially completed, officials plan to install benches, a sign acknowledging the grant funding, and set the grass and grading.
People with small children spent late Friday morning playing in the splash pad. They said they were pleased with how it came out and that it was open.
John Smalley drove from Greentown with his 2-year old son Caleb to enjoy it.
John Smalley of Greentown watches as his 2-year old son Caleb reaches for the water feature at the splash pad at South Abington Park Friday, May 30, 2025. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
The new splash pad at South Abington Park pictured Friday, May 30, 2025. The new splash pad opened this year. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
John Smalley of Greentown shows his 2-year old son Caleb the splash pad at South Abington Park Friday, May 30, 2025. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
Kayla Boyce of Moosic watches as her 2-year old son Jaylen plays in the water features at the splash pad at South Abington Park Friday, May 30, 2025. (Christine Lee/Staff Photo)
“It’s been amazing to see this open again,” he said. “It’s a blessing that we have these types of amenities for the kids to use and have fun with.”
Quentin Boyce of Moosic was at the park with his wife Kayla Boyce and their children, 2½-year-old Jaylen and three-month-old Isabella for the second time last week. He said his son was having the time of his life in the water.
Quentin Boyce said while he likes that it’s a big area for children to run around, he doesn’t like the concrete surface, which he said could be hazardous if children fall.
“Other than that, I think it’s going to be pretty successful and should see a lot of kids here,” he said.
Pane said no material will be placed on top of the concrete. She is pleased with how the splash pad turned out.
“I believe the project turned out very well,” she said in an email Monday. “The splashpad in South Abington park was the first in the area being originally installed over 20 years ago. There are new technologies and equipment that are part of splashpads now that weren’t available 20 years ago and with the splashpad, shade feature, benches and the ADA accessible walkway we are moving forward to be more inclusive in the general needs of the public and we look forward to the continued growth at the Park.”
There is no close date for the splash pad. If the weather remains nice, even in September or October, it will stay open, Pane said.