Community Building Rental

Red Lion Splash Pad Closing

We want to share an important update about the Red Lion Borough Splash Pad. While we’ve had an incredible time seeing so many families enjoy the splash pad over the years, the Borough has been facing rising maintenance costs due to the pad’s popularity. It has become a favorite spot not only for Red Lion residents, but also for families from Harrisburg, Maryland, and beyond. This high level of usage has placed a significant strain on the system, resulting in increased maintenance costs and ongoing challenges to meet Department of Environmental standards.

Last year alone, the pad was forced to close multiple times due to elevated bacteria levels. The concrete surface, which naturally deteriorates over time, has become increasingly prone to cracks, allowing bacteria to infiltrate the system. The freeze-thaw cycles in our climate, combined with the use of chlorine, have only accelerated this deterioration, leading to repeated failures in the required bacteria tests.

The Borough has thoroughly assessed the cost to repair the surface of the splash pad and the surrounding knee wall to prevent further infiltration, estimating the repairs at around $150,000. However, even with this significant investment, there is no guarantee it will resolve the ongoing maintenance issues. One spray feature is already out of service due to leaks beneath the pad, and we cannot be certain that additional repairs to the surface will address the underlying problems.

Moreover, the average cost to maintain the splash pad for just three months of use is approximately $15,000. This figure excludes the wages for staff required to maintain the system daily or the potential failures of overburdened components. For example, last year, the pump failed twice, at a replacement cost of $5,000 per unit—an expense not accounted for in the $15,000 maintenance estimate.

After careful evaluation of both the financial burden and the condition of the splash pad, the Red Lion Borough Council has determined that the splash pad has reached the end of its useful life. Continuing to invest in repairs and maintenance has become an unsustainable strain on the taxpayers of Red Lion Borough.

We’re excited to move forward and involve the community in shaping the future of our recreational spaces! The next step will be scheduling a meeting to gather your input on what you’d love to see replace the Splash Pad. Your ideas are essential, and once we’ve collected feedback, we’ll send out a survey to help us better understand everyone’s preferences.

Our goal is to find a solution that’s easier to maintain, serves the needs of the Red Lion community, and ensures we can continue to offer great amenities without raising taxes. We’ll also be exploring grant opportunities to help bring this vision to life. Stay tuned – we can’t wait to hear your thoughts and work together on this exciting new chapter!