Town of Hempstead opens splash pads early amid heat advisory
The splash pads are located at Lido Beach Town Park, Baldwin Park, Bernard Brown Park, Bluegrass Lane, Elmont Road Park, Hendrickson Avenue Park, Seamans Neck Park, Wolcott Road, and Coes Neck Park.
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The Town of Hempstead opened all nine of its splash pads Thursday, more than a week ahead of schedule as a stretch of hot weather settled over Long Island. Town Supervisor John Ferretti said the decision was made in response to the heat, and parks crews worked on short notice to prepare the facilities.
“Kids can enjoy a fun way to cool off in the heat, and parents can enjoy a few minutes of peace while looking on close by,” Ferretti said at Coes Neck Park. He added that the town asked its Parks Department “just about a day and a half ago” to accelerate the opening and that crews “did an incredible job” getting everything ready.
The splash pads are located at Lido Beach Town Park, Baldwin Park, Bernard Brown Park, Bluegrass Lane, Elmont Road Park, Hendrickson Avenue Park, Seamans Neck Park, Wolcott Road, and Coes Neck Park.
The pads located inside parks will follow regular park hours. Two new splash pads in Levittown — Bluegrass Lane and Wolcott Road — will operate daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The town is also preparing to open its pools next weekend, as is tradition on Father’s Day weekend.
Visitors at Coes Neck Park on Thursday welcomed the early start. A woman from Baldwin visiting with her granddaughter said she hadn’t known the splash pad would be open.
“We are just lucky to come here today,” she said. “She’s enjoying it… we come here every day during the summer.”
Ferretti urged residents to be safe during the heat wave by staying hydrated, protecting their skin, and taking breaks indoors — and by cooling off at one of the newly opened splash pads.
