"Endless Summer Nights & Weekends" Starts August 8

New Hours, Reduced Prices

Starting August 8, Splash Island will begin its new Endless Summer Nights & Weekends schedule. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Splash Island will be open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The weekend schedule remains the same as it has been during the regular season—Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays noon to 6 p.m.—but reduced prices will be in effect. Plainfield residents will be admitted for $4.75, nonresidents for $6.50.

“School starts in Plainfield on August 8, but that doesn't mean the heat will go away,” said Clay Chafin, Plainfield's Director of Parks and Recreation. “Being open on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights will give people a chance to cool off in the evenings. This summer has been a hot one, even in the evenings. We don't anticipate that will change. We also hope the reduced prices will enable even more families to come enjoy the amenities we have here at Splash Island.”

Chafin added that everyone seems to have taken to the new Leisure River, the 900- foot ‘lazy river' attraction. “We've heard lots of great comments about it this summer. It's a great family attraction, too, since families can float together down the river.”

Endless Summer Nights and Weekends will continue through Labor Day, Monday, September 3. Hours on Labor Day will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. “After that, the pool closes for humans,” Chafin said. “We're still planning to have our Puppy Pool Party on September 8 and 9. More information on that will be in the next Water Line.”

All Should Use Caution at Pedestrian Crossings

A number of people came forward at a recent Town Council meeting to ask for clarification about pedestrian crossing signs, because they have not felt safe when using the crosswalks. For the most part, they were alarmed at the speeds cars traveled even as they approached the crossings.

“Pedestrian Crossing signs are there to remind motorists that they should slow down and use caution when approaching a crosswalk because it's a place where pedestrians and other non-motorists will cross the road,” said Plainfield Police Chief Jeff Mitny. “For pedestrians and bicyclists who are using the pathways, please remember that cars have the right of way except when you are in the crosswalk, but you must use good judgment and make sure there is plenty of time for you to cross. You do not have the right to run into the crosswalk and expect a vehicle to stop suddenly.”

Mitny said motorists and bicyclists on the road should make it a habit to slow down whether or not they see someone waiting at the crossing. “If a child lurched across the road, or if someone didn't see you coming and started into the crosswalk, and you were going so fast you were unable to stop, think how you would feel about the consequences,” he said. “It's not so much a matter of who has the right of way as is it simply using caution and good common sense.”

Recreation Center to Close August 13 through 17

Indoor Splash Island Will Close for Six Weeks

The Plainfield Recreation Center will close for its annual maintenance work from Monday, August 13 through Friday, August 17.

“The shutdown gives us time to do deep cleaning we can't do otherwise,” said Clay Chafin, Director of Parks and Recreation. “In addition, we'll be redoing the locker room floors in both the men's and women's areas with a new epoxy coating. Upstairs we're converting a storage room into an additional fitness room. But probably the most exciting thing we're doing during the shutdown will be a renovation in the women's locker room. We will be removing lockers in one section and replacing them with countertops of various heights for sitting and standing to allow members an easier way to get ready for work. We're putting in additional mirrors, lighting, and electrical outlets, too. This is all being done in anticipation of opening earlier in the fall. We've had a lot of requests for this, particularly from women who want to work out in the mornings.”

Chafin also said that the indoor Splash Island water park will be closed starting August 11 while work is done in that area of the building. “We anticipate as much as six weeks will be needed to perform the necessary work, but if all goes well, we will be able to open sooner.”

Classes scheduled during that time will either be transferred to the outdoor pool or to Clarks Creek Elementary indoor pool, Chafin said. He added that none of this will affect the outdoor Splash Island water park, which will be operating on its Endless Summer Nights and Weekends schedule during that time.