Anonymous Donor Gives $311K To Fully Fund Jacobs Beach Splash Pad

GUILFORD, CT — In 2019, grassroots, moms-led movement was born to bring a splash pad to Jacobs Beach. The hope was to raise the money for the project — that would end up costing around $300,000 —so to open the pad in summer of 2020.

We all know what happened in early 2020 which scuttled so much.

The campaign led by parent Mandie Sorrentino was never dropped. Indeed, plans have been in the works since. But it's been significantly stalled as the funding, which was always supposed to be from donations only, slowed, another pandemic victim.

But that all changed right before Christmas.

On Monday Dec. 20, during the Board of Selectmen meeting it was announced that an anonymous donor with "ties to Guilford" stepped forward to give $311,000 — enough to fund the entire project.

When the Parks & Rec agenda item came up, First Selectman Matt Hoey introduced director Rick Maynard; "The guy's who's bringing really good news," First Selectman Matt Hoey.

"We have a big splash ...." Maynard joked. "This just came out of the blue, out of nowhere..."

Maynard said he got an email from a person representing the donor, who insisted on anonymity; even Maynard does not know who it is, he said.

The person is giving the town $325,000; $311,000 for the splash pad and $14,000 is earmarked for the Rick B. Maynard Disc Golf Course at Bittner Park.

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