Recreation Center playground, spray pad, officially opens

About 35 eager Rockville Centre nursery school children were the first to try out the new slides, swings and water-filled spray pad as the newly-constructed playground at the John A. Anderson Recreation Center officially opened on May 23.

Construction of the playground took about five months and recreations officials had to wait for the rubberized safety surface around the play structures to harden before officially opening the area. Parks and Recreation Superintendent Ginger Creegan addressed the growing crowd of parents, siblings, and legislators before the unveiling and spoke glowingly about the new additions.

“The playground is based on Hans Christian Anderson’s Little Mermaid,” Creegan said. “It’s pretty awesome.”

But the main attraction is a spray area in which seven circular water spouts surround a green sprinkler tower. The plumbing was completed in April and the spouts can be activated with the push of a button.

Before officially opening the playground for business, Rockville Centre Mayor Francis X. Murray made some final remarks.

“There is nothing like a new playground and spray pad to ensure that our village continues to be a highly desirable community to work, live and raise a family,” he said.

With the help of two nursery school children, the mayor signified the opening of the new community playground by cutting the ribbon. After that, the children quickly scattered to enjoy all of the amenities.

“The newest and most exciting feature is our ‘spray’ ground,” Creegan said, as the spectators watched a young volunteer test it out. “[It is] perfect for those hot summer days.”

Another popular feature is the “Smartplay” castle, where children and adults can download apps on their smartphones and iPads to enjoy stories and activities.

The village will have two new playgrounds within blocks of each other in the next year. The Recreation Center is on Oceanside Avenue, and an inclusive playground on the east end of Hickey Field, on Sunrise Highway, will be named after late longtime recreation Superintendent Anthony Brunetta next spring.