Summer may be months away, but workers out at Chickahominy Riverfront Park are already busy prepping the pool for the upcoming season.
When locals and park guests arrive at the pool over Memorial Day weekend, they can expect to see something new: a splash pad area for families.
The new splash pad section will feature several sprinklers, fountains and a water play area. It is being constructed over a grassy patch where a second pool used to be. That pool was shut down and filled in two years ago. The project, which costs $396,650, also includes a new pump house, and new filtration systems for the pool and splash pad as well as demolition of a small pump house and conversion of an old pump house to pool storage.
John Carnifax, director of James City County Parks and Recreation, expects the splash pad to be a hit, especially with families with young children.
“A splash pad is something the community wanted,” Carnifax said. “They are becoming very popular, and I think it will drive attendance up. It will be a great asset. Splash pads are very appealing.”
Carnifax added that eventually, the hope is to also add a splash pad near Kidsburg at Veterans Park.
James City County Parks and Recreation is also proposing two other projects: improvements to James City County Marina across from Jamestown Settlement as well as the replacement of all the synthetic turf fields out at the Warhill Sports Complex.
A $1.5 million renovation project is being considered for the marina. The project would include replacement of the marina’s bulkhead, floating docks, and both covered slips. Eventually, the county would also like to add a restaurant at the marina to draw more visitors.
Billsburg Brewery, which opened in October at James City County Marina, has already boosted traffic to the area. If approved, the renovation project would take place at the end of 2018 over the winter to avoid boater disruption.
Carnifax said James City Parks and Recreation is also proposing to replace seven turf fields,
including the stadium field, at the Warhill Sports Complex. The estimated
cost of the project is $3.1 million. If approved, those fields at Warhill would be shut down in late 2018 and replaced over the winter before reopening in spring 2019.
“That is the goal,” Carnifax said.
