MANSFIELD — YMCA members seeking relief from the summer heat will soon have a place to cool off.
The Mansfield Area YMCA will reopen the splash pad to members only on June 20.
The splash pad opened in May of 2019 but remained closed this year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Officials decided to reopen the facility but had to come up with a plan for limiting the number of users because of the current social distancing mandates.
“The biggest caveat to the splash pad right now is it’s going to be open to members only,” said Sara Baker, the YMCA’s director of development and marketing. “That’s going to ruffle some feathers because when we put the splash pad in we said it would be open to everyone in the community. But with COVID we cannot allow that many people onto the pad.”
Members will have to register for time slots and inform YMCA staff how many people will be in the group. There will be a two-hour time limit for each group. Baker said the YMCA is still working with health officials to determine a maximum capacity.
“We foresee the scheduling system and minimizing capacity an ordeal that lasts the entire summer,” Baker said.
People taking advantage of the splash pad will notice a few other changes, too. A new ocean-themed mural painted by local artist Allison Pence adorns the outside wall near the entrance to the splash pad.
“We’re really excited about that. Allison is just awesome,” Baker said. “Coming from someone who’s not artsy I thought it would take her two weeks and she came out and was done in two days. I was so impressed.”
Another new addition is an ice cream stand. There also will be a snack cart.
“We’re trying our best to make sure people feel like they are getting their outdoor pool experience,” Baker said. “It’s just you have to schedule your time. We’re trying our hardest to give kids and their families a little of normal summer.”
The splash pad will be open 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
