New splash pad offers another way to cool off at Gahanna Swimming Pool

The Gahanna Swimming Pool, 148 Parkland Drive, literally should be a splash this swim season.

Gahanna Parks & Recreation has a new splash pad at the Gahanna Swimming Pool, according to Stephania Bernard-Ferrell, director.

“We are excited to offer a new pool amenity to the Gahanna Swimming Pool,” she said. “Previously, the Gahanna Swimming Pool did not offer an amenity suitable for toddlers or new swimmers to enjoy. The splash pad includes 41 different features designed for toddlers to teenagers as well as shaded picnic areas, compliments of Toyota Direct and Drive Direct.”

Bernard-Ferrell said splash pads provide an interactive way for children and families to play in the water, especially in the hotter summer months.

The new pad, with a May 20 grand opening and ribbon-cutting, features more than 3,100 square feet of spray area, as well as additional benches, and a year-round restroom is on site that’s accessible to the Big Walnut Trail.

The splash pad is an amenity of the pool and is to be available to pool members and those who purchase a day pass during operating hours, according to the Gahanna Parks & Recreation Summer Program Guide.

Additionally, it is to be open and free to the public from 8 a.m. to noon before the pool opens daily, as well as days when the pool might be closed.

It also is to be open daily outside the pool season, as weather permits, according to the guide.

Westerville pads

Nearby Westerville Parks & Recreation also offers splash-pad amenities, including one for free at Hanby Park, 115 E. Park St.

Toni Schorling, Westerville public-relations specialist, said Westerville has two splash pads, both opening May 28.

She said Hanby also offers a playground with a climbing play structure and all-ages play equipment. Restrooms and a train depot-style shelter also are available there.

Highlands Park Aquatic Center, 245 S. Spring Road, also has splash-pad facilities. Daily or seasonal passes are available online for Highland at westerville.org/registration. One has small fountains for preschool age, and another has water-play equipment for all ages.

Those splash pads are on during open swim times, from noon to 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and noon to 6:30 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and during toddler swims from 9 to 11 a.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Pool party

Bernard-Ferrell said the full pool operation at the Gahanna Swimming Pool and Hunters Ridge Pool, 341 Harrow Blvd., are scheduled to open May 28.

Pool members should have early access to the pools May 26 for Hunters Ridge and May 27 for the Gahanna Swimming Pool.

She said pool memberships would be sold on site.

Bernard-Ferrell said swim lessons are offered through the American Red Cross. All details for swim lessons are online.

She said other special events are back at the pool this summer, including the following:

• Family Fun Night – Hunters Ridge, 6 to 11 p.m. June 11.

• Dive-In Movies – Hunters Ridge, The Sandlot, 7 p.m. June 25, and Moana, 7 p.m. July 30.

• Family Fun Night – Gahanna Swimming Pool, 4 to 9 p.m. July 2.

• Back to School Bash – Gahanna Swimming Pool, noon to 7 p.m. Aug. 13.

• Doggy Dip – Hunters Ridge, 1 to 2 p.m. (small dogs) and 2 to 4 p.m. (large dogs) Sept. 11.

mkuhlman@thisweeknews.com

@ThisWeekMarla

This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: New splash pad offers another way to cool off at Gahanna Swimming Pool