With three weeks of enjoyment of the new Splash Pad and Playground at Henslee Park providing several learning experiences, the Dickson Parks and Recreation Department is modifying the days and hours of operation to accommodate necessary maintenance and cleaning.
The new recreation facility at the site of the former Dickson Country Club at 800 Highway 70 West opened June 17 and has drawn thousands of visitors enjoying fun new opportunities and seeking relief from the summer heat.
“The Splash Pad and Playground have been a tremendous success and will continue to attract visitors to Dickson for its unique recreational features,” said Public Works Department Director David Travis. “We’ve also been learning from the experience and are continuing to seek ways to enhance the play experience.”
After having been open for three weeks, the department has determined it needs to modify the operational hours to allow for needed maintenance and cleaning, Travis said.
Effective Friday, July 7, the Henslee Park Splash Pad will operate:
• Mondays 8:00 am-8:00 pm;
• Tuesday 8:00 am-8:00 pm;
• Wednesdays 4:00 pm-8:00 pm;
• Thursdays 8:00 am-8:00 pm;
• Fridays 8:00 am-8:00 pm;
• Saturdays 8:00 am-8:00 pm; and
• Sundays 12:00 pm-8:00 pm.
The Splash Pad and Playground will be closed for maintenance and cleaning on Wednesdays and will open at 4:00 pm.
The Henslee Park Playground will be open:
• Mondays sunrise to 10:00 pm;
• Tuesdays sunrise to 10:00 pm;
• Wednesdays 4:00 pm-10:00 pm;
• Thursdays sunrise-10:00 pm;
• Fridays sunrise-10:00 pm;
• Saturdays sunrise-10:00 pm; and
• Sundays sunrise-10:00 pm.
Henslee Park, with its walking, running and biking paths and Dog Park, is open sunrise to 10:00 pm seven days a week and most holidays.
“It is important that we maintain the city’s investment by keeping the Splash Pad and Playground clean and safe,” Travis said. “This requires weekly pressure washing and flushing of the 3,000-gallon tank that supplies the water for the Splash Pad, which requires several hours.”
The popularity of the new park has brought issues with parking. The city continues construction of an additional parking area and in the meantime has designated an overflow parking area with signage.
“We ask that you not park in the grass of Henslee Park or along the entrance road, which is actually a street that provides access to the neighborhood behind the park,” Travis said. “There are signs directing people to the overflow parking area and we hope to complete the new parking lot very soon.”
Another issue that has surfaced in the early days of the park is keeping the turf of the Playground clear.
“Each structure in the Playground has a designated landing zone in case someone falls off and those need to be kept clear at all times,” Travis said. “We ask that you not set up towels or blankets within the play area. As a general rule, if you are within an arm’s reach of any concrete, you should be clear of the fall zones. We also ask that you don’t block the sidewalks.”
Chairs and tables are not allowed in the Playground area as they can damage the turf surface. Chairs, tables, towels, blankets and pop-up canopies can be set up in the grassy area surrounding the Splash Pad and Playground. The picnic tables under the pavilion and the shaded benches around the park are available on a first-come, first-served basis. No part of the park can be reserved or rented.
As part of keeping the Splash Pad and Playground clean, food is not allowed within any of the play areas and those enjoying the park are asked to dispose of their trash before leaving.
Adults are asked to not leave children unsupervised. There is no climbing allowed on the Splash Pad features and all Playground structures are to be used properly in order to prevent injuries. Children should not be allowed to climb up the slides from the exit points, stand on the swings or use any of the structures in any way that could harm themselves or others. Parents should caution children about walking in the areas around the swings and zipline features to avoid being struck.
“We want everybody to safely enjoy this wonderful new facility,” said Parks Department Superintendent Cherie Wilson. “We have parks staff on site during operating hours and hope everybody will follow their instructions as they are there for your safety and to maintain the facility.”
Wilson reminds parents that during extreme summer heat, the surfaces of the Splash Pad and Playground can be hot and the surface of the Splash Pad is wet and can be slippery.
“Everyone should wear shoes at all times and children should be discouraged from running within the Splash Pad area,” Wilson said. “While the Splash Pad is a great way to get relief from the heat, high temperatures will make the surfaces of some of the Playground features hot.”
“We look forward to years of enjoyment at Henslee Park and hope those enjoying the Splash Pad and Playground will help us in maintaining this unique recreation area by following the rules and using all necessary precautions to protect themselves and each other,” said Travis. “We continue to evaluate the park’s operation and are looking at ways to improve and enhance the recreation experience.”
The Dickson City Council recently approved over $38,000 to add a fence along Highway 70 at the park and over $11,000 to purchase activity features for the fenced Henslee Park Dog Park near the Splash Pad. Those projects, along with the new parking area, should be completed in the coming weeks.
For more information on Henslee Park and the other facilities and activities of the Parks and Recreation Department, call (615) 446-1721 or visit cityofdickson.com or the Dickson Parks and Recreation Department page on Facebook.
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