Bishop Rayford Hankins Memorial Park Community Splash Pad Development Plan
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The intent of this master plan is to outline the vision, goals, and process for the implementation of a community splash pad in Burgaw. This project is designed to enhance community recreation, promote sustainability, and provide an inclusive, family-friendly water play environment. Project Description A splash pad is a type of water recreation amenity with interactive fountains, ground sprayers, water cannons, tipping buckets, and other water features. Splash pads often follow a theme, contributing to the town’s aesthetics and character. A splash pad will be installed as an interactive water attraction for children of all ages from Burgaw and surrounding areas. After discussion with relevant stakeholders, it was decided to use a recirculation splash pad system to be environmentally conscious and avoid wasting water, though the up-front cost is higher. A proposed design was developed based on budget criteria, location, and community needs. The design is a splash pad with about a 1500-square-foot area and includes multiple overhead and ground sprayers, tipping buckets, and water cannons of different heights and interactive abilities. This plan will outline the next steps to take and the short- medium- and long-term maintenance and upkeep requirements of the splash pad. Project Justification A splash pad has long been on the list of capital projects for the Burgaw Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department. There are no existing public water recreation amenities in Burgaw or in the whole of Pender County. Splash pads have become increasingly popular as an alternative to swimming pools in the past two decades due to lower cost, less management and maintenance, safety, and accessibility. The Town of Burgaw is limited on land and staff, so a splash pad, rather than a pool, is a great amenity to offer to families to help combat the summer heat. Previous planning initiatives, including the 2016 Parks and Recreation Master Plan and the 2024 Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Master Plan, have emphasized the desire of the community for water recreation amenities. Past community surveys and community meetings during the 2024 Parks and Recreation Comprehensive Master Plan planning process have also highlighted strong community interest in a water recreation amenity in Burgaw. Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Staff formed a steering committee during the 2024 Master Plan planning process made up of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, the Parks Foundation of Burgaw, and the Burgaw Planning Board. Staff visited each respective group to receive feedback to formulate an overall vision for the department.
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