Scattered thunderstorms. Low 76F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%..
Scattered thunderstorms. Low 76F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Kids play at the Farmville Community Splash Pad on a hot Thursday afternoon.
Kids play at the Farmville Community Splash Pad on a hot Thursday afternoon.
Kids play at the Farmville Community Splash Pad on a hot Thursday afternoon, July 28.
Kids play at the Farmville Community Splash Pad on a hot Thursday afternoon.
Kids play at the Farmville Community Splash Pad on a hot Thursday afternoon.
Kids play at the Farmville Community Splash Pad on a hot Thursday afternoon, July 28.
FARMVILLE — One of the best parks to visit in the summertime is one that lets you splash in the cool water, and Pitt County has three of them.
Spraygrounds and splashpads in Ayden, Farmville and Greenville offer kids of all ages a fun way to get wet in the summer months, with jets of water shooting up from their feet or buckets full splashing down from overhead.
The newest park opened to thrills and delight in the summer of 2021 near Farmville’s J.Y. Monk Memorial Park. The facility is conveniently located and many residents can walk there.
“We just came from across the way,” visitor Ines Higgins said on a recent hot day while watching her granddaughters from the edge of the pad. “I took my two granddaughters and their friends to the playground (at Monk Park) and they wanted to come over here and get wet and cool off. They love coming here.”
The pad currently features an aqua drop, aqua arch, parasol, water weaver, two tower sprays and Charlotte’s Web, which creates a wide, circular pattern of water reminiscent of a spider weaving its web.
A favorite feature is the water bucket drop. Operated on a timer, a bucket atop a pole collects water until it fills, eventually tipping the container onto anyone standing below.
Earlier this month, groups of kids huddled together waiting for the bucket to tip and drench them. Meanwhile, smaller, perhaps less daring kids, played near the pop-up sprinklers or under the aqua arch.
The splash pad is located at 3433 Park St. near Monk Park and The Boys & Girls Club. Up to 97 visitors may use the facility at a time. It was designed with all ages in mind and is accessible to disabled visitors.
It was also designed with the future in mind, town officials said. It consists of 1,880 square feet of water-filled fun but there is room for expansion.
The residents aren’t the only ones taking advantage of the splash pad in the heat. The Farmville Public Library is holding several “Party at the Splash Pad” events there throughout the summer and town Recreation and Parks summer day campers visit it regularly.
The Town of Ayden dedicated the Mary Alice Davenport Splash Pad in 2019 at the Ayden District Park on Jolly Road. The park features fountains, jets, water rings and a water tank and pelican that drop streams of water from high overhead.
As part of the district park, it’s adjacent to a traditional playground, picnic shelters, ballfields, bathrooms, a disc golf course and a dog park. It also has beach volleyball, paved trails and multipurpose trails.
The splash park has been undergoing repairs since mid-July and currently is closed. Tommy Duncan, the Arts and Recreation director, said it is in need of parts that he is working to locate and order.
But that won’t stop a big event set for Saturday, Duncan said.
The Family Splash Day will be hosted by Arts and Recreation in partnership with Trillium Health Resources from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. The free event will feature an inflatable water slide, games, face painting, crafts, food and music.
“The issue is in the chlorine pump, so we will pump the chlorine in the water manually and make sure it stays at safe levels so the event can go on,” Duncan said.
To learn more about the event call 481-5837 or visit aydenartsandrec.recdesk.com. This will be the only day the pad will be reopened until fully repaired.
Greenville’s sprayground, known as Splashpoint, is located at the city’s Dream Park on Chestnut Street. It opened in 2013 in a crowning moment that completed a park long desired in the west Greenville neighborhood.
The sprayground’s firefighter theme — complete with a fire engine water slide, burning house, fire hydrants, water cannons and a Dalmatian — was inspired by the area’s history with a former Greenville fire station and the town’s old fire training tower next door.
The adjacent Dream Park features a playground with natural play areas, a picnic shelter with grills and accessible bathrooms.
Splashpoint also is closed due to mechanical issues.
“We are trying to get in contact with the manufacturer to understand our options when it comes to repairs but we have not been able to get up with them yet,” Dennis Vestal, Recreation & Parks superintendent said.
There is currently no set date to reopen the splash pad. The Dream Park at 1700 Chestnut St. remains open for use.
Contact Ariyanna Smith at asmith@apgenc.com and 252-653-2368.
July is National Park and Recreation Month, and The Daily Reflector is marking the occasion with a series of stories that explore local facilities that invite residents to be active and enjoy the great outdoors. Reporters will visit parks throughout Greenville and Pitt County, chat with the people who love them and provide handy information about programs and activities. The series concludes Saturday with a visit to Boyd Lee Park in Greenville.
Hours: 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 1-6 p.m. Sunday.
Season: June through September (Subject to change)
Highlights: The facility is adjacent to J.Y. Monk Memorial park, which features a large playground and picnic shelter.
Free. Limited to 90 visitors at once.
Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through Aug. 28 and Sept. 3-5.
Season: Memorial Day through Labor Day (currently closed for repairs)
Highlights: The splash pad is part of Ayden District Park, which features ballfields, beach volleyball, a disc golf course, play equipment, trails and a dog park. The park is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Admission: $2 per child, and all children must be accompanied by an adult. Water shoes are required. Limit 60 visitors. Call 481-5837.
Splash Day: Ayden Arts and Recreation, in conjunction with Trillium Health Resources, will host free Family Splash Day at the splash pad from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday. The free event will include inflatable waterslides, character appearances, games, face-painting, arts and crafts, food and music. It is open to all ages, but pets are not allowed. Call 481-5837 or visit aydenartsandrec.recdesk.com. (The splash pad will be operational for this event only)
Hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday noon-6 p.m.; Sunday 1-6 p.m.
Season: June-August (Currently closed for repairs)
Highlights: Adjacent to the city's Dream Park, which features a play groud with natural play areas and a large picnic shelter with grills and accessible bathroom facilities.
Free. Limited 50 visitors at once.
www.Reflector.com 1150 Sugg Pkwy Greenville, NC 27834 Main Phone: 252-329-9500 Customer Care Phone: 252-329-9505
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