Charles Town board reviews splash-pad designs for pool project; staff says features can fit under proposed budget

The City of Charles Town Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed splash-pad design options and budget implications for the Jefferson Memorial Park pool project at its Jan. 23 meeting, advancing feedback to staff and the project engineers.

Contractor proposals presented to the board included a compact 1,800-square-foot footprint with play features such as hoops, small slides for toddlers, a "tree" dump bucket and interactive tables. Commissioners said they liked hoops and a dump-bucket feature but worried about circulation for very young children and whether tall features would splash into adjacent areas.

"I like the hoops a lot...I think that would be really fun even for adults to run through," one commissioner said. Another member suggested incorporating a tree-bucket dump feature and possibly swapping out a basic element for a slide if budget and footprint permit.

Staff and the on-line participant Sam Rich (project lead) said the proposed equipment package was priced "just under $100,000," and that installation costs would be handled by the project general contractor. The board discussed locating a standalone mechanical enclosure near the splash pad — a visual element staff said could be screened and branded — instead of using the existing pavilion's mechanical space.

Why it matters: the board is redesigning pool-area amenities while the pool is closed, and wants features that serve toddlers and older children year-round. Commissioners emphasized balancing excitement (slides, hoops) with safety and circulation for small children.

Next steps: staff will take the board's feedback to manufacturers and return with refined conceptual designs and updated pricing, including installation costs, at a future meeting. No contract or appropriation was approved at this session.