As summer approaches, and social media rumblings abound. The Red Lion community continues to speculate about the future of the town’s popular splash pad.
The splash pad was dedicated in 2013 with grant funding. It’s been a staple of the community for over a decade, and become something of a summertime tradition among the area youth.
According to a source within Red Lion Borough, Following a Council Vote at the April 14th Council Meeting. The splash pad will remain closed this season due to safety concerns and the high cost of necessary repairs.
The estimated cost to bring the facility up to standard is approximately $150,000. Repairs would address both current safety risks, mostly regarding water quality and bacteria, and long-term maintenance issues. In light of these very real challenges, the Borough has decided not to reopen the splash pad at this time.
While some residents have voiced concerns about the possibility of the splash pad being permanently removed, the source confirmed that no official decision has been made to tear it down. However, the idea of removal has been discussed among some members of Borough Council, and could come to a vote in the future if enough support builds among Council members.
Despite the uncertainty, there is hope. The same Borough source indicated that there is interest in pursuing grant funding to restore or improve the splash pad. Grant Funding would need to be for something recreational in nature and one important factor in securing such funding is community engagement. Demonstrated public interest and support could play a key role in determining whether funding is awarded to Red Lion with priority and what the future and size of the facility might look like.
For now, the splash pad remains closed, indefinitely, and its long-term fate is still undecided. Borough officials have not announced a timeline for any upcoming votes or public discussions.
UPDATED 4/17/2025
Red Lion Borough has posted a public notice on its official Facebook page confirming that the town’s splash pad will remain closed for the 2025 season.
In an interview with Red Lion Borough Council President Tony Musso, more details were provided on the longstanding challenges facing the facility. Musso described a history of ongoing maintenance issues that, in his view, exceed the industry norm for similar recreational infrastructure.
Among the current repair estimates:
- A $50,000 “band-aid” solution to seal deteriorating concrete with a surface coating.
- A $100,000 estimate to replace the surrounding concrete “knee wall,” which is necessary to maintain water sanitation standards.
Musso explained that these repairs, while significant, do not address deeper structural risks. “If a band-aid costs that much,” he said, elaborating that it’s not fiscally responsible to vote for the repair when catastrophic leak could occur at any moment in the decades-old plumbing under the concrete.
He noted that one of the splash pad’s water features has already been shut off for several seasons due to an underground leak. Looking forward, Musso stated he envisions replacing the splash pad with basketball or pickleball courts. sighting their low maintenance costs. Though he emphasized he remains open to other suggestions from the public.
His primary concern centers around the Borough’s $2.5 million annual budget. Musso noted that with aging storm sewer systems collapsing in parts of the borough, public funds may need to be redirected toward critical infrastructure instead of recreational upgrades.
The Franklin St Social, and Apartments in the old David Edwards Building on Franklin St were also given a 10 year tax abatement program.
However, an examination of the Borough’s 2025 proposed budget shows several large capital expenditures already planned:
- $100,000 – Park Capital Expenditure
- $70,000 – Community Building Capital Improvements
- $100,000 – Public Works Equipment and Purchases
It is unclear what the $100,000 earmarked for park improvements specifically covers, though it may be related to planned walkway upgrades.
Another detail of note: The Red Lion Municipal Authority had previously donated the water and sewer services required to operate the splash pad. The Borough’s public notice claimed that annual operation costs total approximately $15,000. A subject matter expert consulted on the issue stated that about half of those costs, roughly $7,500, were related to water and sewer usage, costs previously covered by the Water Authority.
We’re encouraging Red Lion residents, and surrounding visitors to complete the form linked below to share their opinions about the splash pad. Responses will be compiled and we will share them with Red Lion Borough Council as part of our ongoing community engagement efforts.
Your input could help shape the future of this community space. This is a grassroots community survey created and shared by local volunteers, Susquehanna Signal, and The Red Lion area Business Association.
