The Barrington Park and Recreation Commission recommended the town pursue a Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management grant to expand the splash pad at Police Cove Park. 

During the meeting late last month, Commission member Anthony Arico asked if a larger splash pad with more equipment would result in a more expensive water bill; the town uses Bristol County Water Authority water at the park. 

Barrington Department of Public Works Superintendent John Renquinha said the town spends about $9,000 on the water bill at the splash pad. 

Commission Chairman Mike Seward said the water bill would cost about the same. 

Eventually, Commission members voted to recommend the town pursue the DEM grant to expand the splash pad.

During the Oct. 2 Barrington Town Council meeting, Town Manager Phil Hervey also spoke in favor of the splash pad enhancements. In a memo to the Council, Hervey wrote that the town was prepared to engage the firm VHB to provide a concept and cost estimate for the splash pad work. He wrote that the Council has allocated $35,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds for the improvements; that amound would reportedly be enough to meet the 20 percent local match needed for the DEM grant. 

"The splash pad is very popular on hot days, especially among families with small kids," Hervey wrote. "It also is used by the Town about once a week for summer camps. But it can become crowded, as it occupies just a small portion of the concrete plaza behind the seawall. The goal will be to expand the splash pad into the adjacent grass area to provide additional splash pad features, while keeping the water overall usage roughly the same."

After a brief discussion, the Town Council voted in favor.

The DEM grant will also be used to install fencing at the splash pad, as well as more benches and some other features.