Beckett Park in West Chester Township to get splash playground

Construction will begin this summer on a $1.5 million splash playground in one of West Chester Township’s parks.

It will open next spring at Beckett Park, 8545 Beckett Road, where West Chester Baseball Complex and the Muhlhauser Barn also are located.

Township officials announced the project in a prepared statement Tuesday night after trustees formally met to approve it.

“A water playground was first envisioned for Beckett Park more than two decades ago and water play areas continue to be a request we hear from residents,” Township Administrator Larry Burks said in the statement. “It’s exciting in the Township’s bicentennial year to break ground on this project and make it a reality.”

The splash playground will feature varied opportunities for water play accessible to children of all abilities.

Shade structures and seating will also be incorporated into the design.

“The new splash playground will be a great complement to the natural trails, walkways and ponds on the west side of Beckett Park,” said Community Services Director Arun Hindupur.

The project will be funded with State Route 747 TIF resources generated by corporate development.

This is a TIF-eligible expense as are other community amenities, infrastructure improvements and public safety equipment.

West Chester will announce a community ground-breaking event later this summer.

The splash playground will be constructed in an area now allocated as a man-made water feature near a picnic shelter.

The water feature was built with the intention of freezing naturally in the winter months for ice skating. These intentions, however, did not pan out due to maintenance issues over the years and insufficient freezing temperatures preventing the feature’s use as an ice rink.

The small pool has since become a maintenance issue due to the increasing geese population.

Enquirer media partner Fox19 provided this report