We would like to the Marlborough City Council to reconsider the plan to replace the Ward Park Wading Pool with a splash pad.  It is concerning that this plan is being considered without the feedback of the residents and others who use this facility on a regular basis.  

During a recent Finance Committee meeting, run-off was cited as an issue. This sounds like a site issue that needs to be addressed as run-off challenges will negatively impact any water feature that is on the site. 

Another reason cited was the difficulty in finding lifeguards in other communities which may impact our city.  Wayside Athletic Club in Marlboro conducts regular lifeguard certification as well as junior lifeguard certification for the state and would be a local resource that could assist in recruiting efforts.  

An additional concern mentioned in the Finance Committee meeting was “nobody is installing wading pools anymore”.  As we already have one in place, let’s aim to not strip our community of a much needed community resource, but instead, preserve it.  An investment should be made in enhancing public facilities rather than dismantling them.

Splash pads do not provide the same experience to all age groups that wading pools do.  Studies by the American Red Cross show that wading pools provide a more secure way of learning to swim for younger children, which cannot be provided by splash pads.  A splash pad can never replicate the same level of communal interaction and satisfaction provided by a pool.   

Ward Park Pool has become a place where all age groups gather to find solace, beat the heat and nurture bonds.  Parents have a place to cool off with their child and the level of engagement is different than a splash pad experience.  People tend to spend more time at a pool than a splash pad. Younger children often are startled by the unpredictability of a splash pad and the issue of getting sprayed in the face.  Additionally, they can get bumped into by older kids running around a splash pad despite signs that ask them not to. 

The socio economic impact needs to be recognized.  Low-income families who can’t afford private club memberships will lose this convenient, cost free means of escape from the summer heat.  Many people in the surrounding area walk to this facility which they would not be able to do if they wanted to use the Hildreth pool.  

The proposed splash pad may seem modern and appealing on surface level, but in reality, it will lack the Third Space that many neighborhoods need.  A report published by the CDC suggest that splash pads may be less expensive, but do not contribute significantly to community interaction and third spaces compared to wading pools.  This valuable and much utilized pool plays crucial role in our community’s social fabric.