When it opened in 1996, the Splash Park was the first of its kind in Washington, DC – a state of the art facility that quickly became a recreational hub for the neighborhood. In 2020 the company invested $800,000 to renovate the pool, and during the ribbon-cutting unveiled a new pool deck, pool coating, renovated food truck, improved bath house, new radio system. The electric has been upgraded, and the pool now sports a new tent, furniture, and – maybe best of all – all new pool toys and fixtures.
Joining Chris Smith and George Pollard, VP of Property Management, for the event were Metropolitan Police Department 7th District Commander John Branch, Mark Wilkinson of Paddock Pools (which built the original pool and renovated it), WPGC DJ Poet (a Parklands resident), and Gloria Whitfield, who has lived at the property since 1958.
The Splash Park has been a place where children and families come to have fun. It’s the site of many family and community gatherings. Birthday and graduation parties, bridal and baby showers. We hold summer camps sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club, YMCA, Holy Comforter Church, Training Grounds and New Image Church. DC’s Child and Family Services Division and nearby Turner Elementary School have hosted events here.
And the Splash Park has provided seasonal jobs to youth, young adults and seniors in our community. For many, it’s a launching pad. One young woman, who grew up in Ridgecrest Village, started as a lifeguard and is now a life guard manager. Another lifeguard now has his own pool operating company. Many of our workers have graduated college and are working in the community.
