Construction finally starts on Shirley’s Splash Pad

It looks like this is the year Dartmouth finally gets its splash pad.

Earlier this week, Halifax Parks and Recreation announced on Twitter that construction has begun Shirley’s Splash Pad. It should open to the public this summer.

For Rick Mayuk of Friends of the Dartmouth Splash Pad and Park, seeing ground break on the project is the culmination of over 5 years of work.

“Our first meeting, when the community came together and we were dreaming about a splash pad for the central Dartmouth area, was in 2017, so it's been a long haul,” he told CityNews Halifax.

The ultimate goal has been to create a large recreational facility that would allow kids of all ages to play in a safe, aquatic environment. 

Although there are splash pads in other parts of HRM, Mayuk believes this one will attract visitors from all over the region.

“It can accomodate well over 100 active children playing, with multiple zones for different levels of ability, ambition and adventure for a child,” he explained.

The aquatic play area's home will be at the Dartmouth Commons, a location recommended by HRM parks staff.

“Just off Wyse Road, there's a really cool space that has the Dartmouth Skateboard Park, that's where Shirley's Splash Pad is going to be located,” Mayuk said.”It's a great recreation cluster.”

There's also a nearby playground along with tennis and basketball courts. Zatzman Sportsplex is just across the street.

“It's amazing how big that park space is … it's a really nice area that is protected and away from busy streets where families will be able to hunker down and enjoy multiple hours of recreation.”

Mayuk said the final cost of the splash pad will clock in at over $700,000, a figure that has gone up about $200,000 from the original estimate five years ago. 

He said his group had to raise $150,000 in donations before HRM would take the proposal seriously.

Halifax council approved the project in 2020, but then had to revise its budget due to the financial strain of COVID-19.

“Unfortunately this was one of the projects that was put on the chopping block, and it was delayed,” Mayuk stated.

“We hit another stumble a little later,” he added. “Once HRM did their [request for proposals] … there were bidders, but no one that met their criteria, so unfortunately the RFP had to be re-done again.”

A large portion of donations raised by the Friends of the Dartmouth Splash Pad and Park came courtesy of Shirley Clarke's family. The splash pad is named after her.

The long-time Dartmouth resident raised six children on Thistle Street. They all attended Park School, which was previously located where the new play area is being built.

“She was so proud of her large family and the community that she raised them in, that upon her passing in 2020, Shirley's family made the decision to support a community project,” Mayuk explained. “Something that would have an impact on families and the community where she raised her children.”

Construction is scheduled to be completed by mid-June, with the hope of an officially opening soon after.

“We're really excited to plan a grand opening event to introduce this new park and facility to the community,” Mayuk said.