Splash into Summer at our new Splash Pad
Published on December 06, 2022
There is a new hot spot to take the grandkids for a family picnic.
On Saturday 10 December, the new Jubilee Park (affectionately known as the 'Donald Duck Park’) splash pad will be open to the public for the first time.
A popular water play feature across Aotearoa, splash pads are ‘zero depth’ fun, which can shower, spray, mist and shoot streams of water at users. They are designed on a hard, flat surface. As the water splashes onto this surface, it is collected, filtered, sanitised and re-circulated to keep the water fun flowing in an eco-friendly way.
With an iconic playground, BBQ, picnic tables and shade areas, and now a splash pad, Jubilee Park is a great spot to take the littlies who will enjoy the original Disney look-alike characters built by the local Rotary Club.
To celebrate the addition of the new water feature, join us between 11am to 2pm on Saturday 10 December and enjoy a free sausage sizzle, photo booth, face painting, bouncy castle and more. Coffee and ice cream trucks will also be on site.
Kids of all ages will be able to splash to their heart's content after an opening ceremony at 12pm, which will include a site blessing by representatives of Muaūpoko Tribal Authority, speeches and ribbon cutting by Mayor Bernie Wanden.
Mayor Bernie Wanden says, “There was a lot of excitement when we announced the construction of the splash pad was to begin. I’m looking forward to seeing whānau enjoying the new community asset, at the opening and for years to come. Having a party to open the splash pad is the appropriate way to match the enthusiasm and excitement we received in response to the project.”
Construction of the new community asset began on Wednesday 21 September and includes a new amenity block. The block features two new family changing rooms with baby changing tables, two fully accessible unisex toilets and a plant room for the operation of the splash pad, replacing the old toilet block which is no longer up to standard and has reached the end of its life.
The splash pad and changing rooms will be open each year between Labour Weekend and Easter Weekend, from 9am to 7pm. The toilets will be open from 7am to 8.30pm during daylight savings, and 7am to 5.30pm in winter time.
As part of the draft Long Term Plan (LTP) 2021-2041 process, the community was consulted on the installation of a new aquatic feature in Horowhenua as the existing paddling pool at Jubilee Park was ageing and reaching its use-by date. Built in 1988, the pool had been popular with toddlers and small children, but posed a safety risk; irregular use and distance from the Levin Aquatic Centre has meant that it’s not practical to have a permanent lifeguard stationed at the site.
Replacing the paddling pool with a splash pad means that there will still be a water play facility freely available to our community which will be suitable for children of all abilities and does not require supervision by a lifeguard.
Council allocated funding in the LTP to develop a splash pad and new amenity block for our tamariki and whānau to enjoy. We engaged with local rangatahi to work alongside our contractors for the final splash pad design.
Splash pad users are asked to respect the space by keeping it free of rubbish and refraining from eating or drinking while using the facility. To ensure the splash pad is a safe space for everyone, please keep skateboards, bikes, rollerblades and the like off the surface, wear appropriate swimwear, and avoid using the splash pad if you’re unwell or have open wounds.