Progress report: Countdown to launch of Manchester’s Splash Pad!

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MANCHESTER, NH – It may not look like much right this minute, but Don Pinard has seen the future in the former Dupont swimming pool on the city’s West Side. It’s where Pinard, the city’s Director of Parks & Recreation, learned to swim as a kid.

Yes, he’s heard from those who question the wisdom of removing a swimming pool in favor of what will be one of the largest municipal splash pads in New Hampshire. But he can’t wait to see the place swarming with happy kids.

The wait is almost over. Pinard says inside of three weeks, and the water will be flowing.

“We’re making progress,” says Pinard, doing a 360 around the perimeter of the former swimming pool, now filled in with gravel and almost ready for the concrete pad. Workmen were busy Wednesday digging down to reach the guts of the water relay system, making connections to the huge blue water tank. Pieces of the whimsical water-bearing structure were still strapped on pallets, but Pinard pointed with anticipation to the giant green leaves and huge blue water bucket, his grin nearly as wide as the construction zone, as he can imagine how it will come together, just weeks from now.


Rendering of the city's Splash Pad at
Rendering of the city’s Dupont Park Splash Pad.

A city aldermen visited the site last week, says Pinard, and was skeptical that it would be operational by the target date of August 1.

“He doesn’t understand the process,” says Pinard, explaining that within about a week they should be ready to pour the concrete, which will take a week to cure, and then, it’s just like constructing a giant game of Mouse Trap.

The splash pad, which was budgeted at $425,000, will be split into the three age-appropriate locations, says Pinard, with smaller spray nozzles located throughout the park.  Tables and benches in shaded areas will also be included, for picnicking or relaxing by moving back a chain-link fence, so that the exsisting shaded tree line is incorporated into the space.

Standing near the old wooden bath house, Pinard says he even has a vision for that.

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Click for a quick link to Manchester’s Park and Recreation home page.

“It could be a great little community center. There’s a fireplace in there, really, the possibilities are endless,” says Pinard. Of course, the building has been vacant for years, and so it would have to be inspected for its durability and cost-efficiency. But Pinard takes to heart the city parks updated motto, “The Sky’s the Limit,” which adorns his official city-issued work shirt.

“That motto? That’s me,” says Pinard, who is on a personal mission to make sure that the city’s existing resources are open and accessible to the public.

“I believe that there should be plenty of things for residents to do that are cheap or free,” he says. “For example, I’ve been working closely with the Friends of Rimmon Heights to restore that sense of community here, on the West Side.”

Parks & Rec Director Don Pinard sees a future so bright for Manchester, he has to wear shades.
Parks & Rec Director Don Pinard sees a future so bright for Manchester, he has to wear shades.

The splash pad is part of that vision – a place where anyone can escape the heat, enjoy the outdoors and have some fun in the sun.

“I want to do it up – a ribbon cutting and celebration, some music – it’s going to be big,” says Pinard. “I think once everyone has a chance to see it complete, they will realize it’s the kind of attraction we should have in the state’s largest city.”

Pinard, a longtime employee of the city, took over as Parks director three years ago. He spends his days taking stock of what exists and how to improve it, and what space is available that might be put to better use for the greater good.

His running list of big ideas, so far, knows no bounds.

“We’re just getting started here,” says Pinard.

 

About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!