UPDATE!!! ***NEW GUEST POST*** From Stacey Friedlander. Thanks Stacey for the latest pictures! You can see our original post below after her update:
6/2015- “It’s been one year since the Somerville Spray Ground opened, and I have an update on the area!
If you’re looking for a cute way to cool off Somerville Spray Ground is a great place to check out! The kids love the interactive spray controls and fun. I took my two boys ages 2 and 7 and both had an absolute blast! The kids especially loved the dumping buckets! There are stations to control how high and when the water will spray up from the ground, and the kids loved the dueling cannons! There is a shaded area that is great to lay your towels or post your chairs.
The spray ground is also adjacent to a regular playground and basketball courts so if you’re kids want to hop between both they can! This was a great option for myself who had two boys who didn’t always want to be doing the same thing. It was close enough and safe enough that I could easily keep an eye on both of them from one spot.
The Somerville Spray Ground is a great place to visit! When you’re done playing, visit downtown Somerville for some fabulous shopping, and great eats! It’s main drag is famous for Crusier Nights (Friday nights starting at 5) and it’s amazing Farmer’s Market (Thursday’s on Division Street). Time your visits to coincide with one of these happenings and you’ll be sure to have a great day close to home!
Things to Know Before You Go: Because of the close proximity to the street, I urge caution to ensure that your child doesn’t run off or wander too close to traffic. The park is on a quiet street but near the intersection of the main road. Also, the spray ground surface seems very slippery. Water shoes with traction are advised, but once the high traffic comes through, the combination of the wet surface and run off from sun screen etc. caused many children to slip and fall regardless of foot protection. (Please note that Somerville Recreation has been notified of this issue.)”
Original Post 2014- The newest spray park/ sprayground in Somerset County is in Somerville NJ!
Across from 21 Park Avenue, Somerville NJ (Rescue Squad Headquarters) is Michael Lepp Park where a new splash pad was unveiled! Please note that although the splash pad is public, the wading pool is for residents only and you have to be registered!
From the Somerville website, click on link to see the old pictures (no more swings and truck monkey bar structure):
“Ideal for Youth/toddlers through 12 years old.
Wading pool: 1-3 feet deep, pool slide, covered picnic tables, softball field, basketball court, playground equipment, great green space adjacent to the new extension of Peters Brook Greenway Bike Path.
Staffed Pool Hours (Late June through August 31st):
Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays & Saturdays from 12:00 to 4:00 pm,
Wednesday from 1:00 to 7:00 pm and closed on Sundays.”
Splash Pad Hours (according to sign- Mon-Sun 10am-7pm; September hours: Mon-Sun 1pm-6pm)
The playground structure is small and simple, with a picnic table nearby. However if you want to sit, you may want to bring a chair or bring a blanket to use on the grass.
Here’s some pictures we took!
Don’t bother contacting the Somerville Recreation Department with any issues. The Spray Park is under the authority of the Borough. The mentioned concerns have been raised (internally) prior to the park’s opening. However, certain Borough Department Heads and community advocates decided to go with the plan and remain as close to the budget as possible.
How come nowhere on this site shows dates the park opens and closes? I’m guessing Memorial Day through Labor Day, but don’t want disappointed kids in bathing suits if I show up today and it’s closed.
I’m extremely surprised it’s even legal to have sprinklers this dangerously close to a busy street with no fence in between. I had to stand between the entire time.
The gate for the pool was left wide open, any child could’ve wandered in.