A heartfelt petition has been launched by the Ryde community urging the Isle of Wight Council to work collaboratively towards refurbishing and reopening the town’s closed splash park.
The Isaac Hayward Paddling Pool and Water Play Area, commonly known as Ryde Splash Park, has remained closed for 4 consecutive summers due to deteriorating infrastructure and unresolved funding challenges.
The splash park was originally opened in the early 2000s as a memorial to Isaac Hayward, a young disabled child whose love of water inspired the park’s design. Water play, particularly beneficial for children with additional needs, was central to the park’s inclusive ethos.
Waterside Community Trust ended its tenure in 2022, citing the high costs of keeping the facility operational. Since then, discussions between the Isle of Wight Council and Ryde Town Council have been ongoing, but the splash park has not reopened.
The park has fallen into visible disrepair, with moss-covered flooring, flaking fences, and, more critically, the ageing pump system – described as ‘very old’ back in 2019 – is in need of full replacement at considerable cost.
Although the Isle of Wight Council has indicated plans are afoot, as previously reported by Island Echo, there is no timeline in place for this. Worryingly, those behind the petition say it has been suggested that the splash park may be completely replaced with a basketball court.
In recent weeks, Councillor Karen Lucioni took to Facebook to say that the Isle of Wight Council doesn’t have the money to run the splash park, with other town councils – such as East Cowes and Ventnor – taking on responsibility for their paddling pools.
Cllr Lucioni says that she expects that the Ryde Town Board will now be responsible for any future plans.
With the community beyond frustrated with the situation, the petition has been launched urging the Council to:
- Consider all possibilities for renovating and reopening the park in its current location
- Consult with Ryde Town Council, the community, and stakeholders to find a sustainable solution
- Design a space that reflects its original purpose and is accessible for all
The petition is available to sign at www.change.org/p/save-ryde-splash-park-support-its-refurbishment-and-preservation.
I am afraid that the whole area has been allowed to fall into ruin, like so much else; the grass that used to be kept so well around the lake is now covered in sand, blown from the beach, This is an absolute disgrace, like so much of the Island, falling in to ruin, Sadly nothing is going to change anytime soon.
Back in the day it was a wonderful spot,
motorboats, rowing boats and canoes.
The old thatched pub was great too.
Just like the old Browns boating lake at Sandown
it is now ruined.
I am surprised the council hasn’t filled both
lakes with tarmac like they did to the one at Ventnor
to create parking spaces which make them loads of
money in parking revenue.
Such a shame they are letting the island down.
The parking spaces surrounding Ryde splash park require payment for parking 24 hours a day. The majority of people who would use Ryde splash park would probably pay for parking. What does the revenue that is generated from parking pay for, if not for the facilities that ajoin the parking?