Leetsdale Parks Program Opens With A Splash

Today’s opening of the splash pad in Henle Park was a hit with local kids, who giggled and splashed their way around the water features.

The splash pad opened at noon, coinciding with the first day of ’s Summer Parks Program that began at 9 a.m.

“It appears to be quite a good turn-out with the kids today,” said borough manager Paul Scimio.

In fact, about 65 children turned out for the summer program's first day, according to Tom Pipkins, adult supervisor.

“It’s going really good. So far we have 50 kids, 7 and over that signed up. Others came with their parents, so we have about 65 kids all together,” Pipkins said.

Any child from Leetsdale or an outside community is welcome to participate in the program, Pipkins said. Children 7 and older are allowed to stay without an adult, but younger children must remain supervised by an adult at the park.

Parents bring their children starting at 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., and must fill out some information.  

“It changes everyday,” Pipkins said. “We do various crafts, sports activities, breakfast, lunch, basically anything to keep them busy.”

The 10-week program is run through Leetsdale borough while the food program is subsidized through Allegheny County, Scimio said.

Allegheny County’s summer program doesn’t begin until next week, so this week Scimio said Leetsdale is providing breakfast and lunch for the participating kids.

On Monday, the children played an ice-breaker game, decorated sun catchers and spent time playing in the splash pad after lunch. The splash pad is open everyday from noon to 6 p.m. as well.

Plans for mid-July entertainment included bringing in the circus for two days, but Scimio said the circus suffered a recent tent-collapse mishap and had to cancel the engagement.

Jimmy Gilbert, 66, of Leet Township, said he remembers coming to the park as a child and wanted his 9-year-old grandson Connor to have the same experience.

“I used to play down here. Sixty years ago they used to have the program,” Gilbert said. “This is a nice community to grow up in.”

Janae Bajsec, 12, of Leetsdale, celebrated her birthday at the program’s first day. Staffers and the other kids chimed in together to deliver Janae a lovely rendition of “Happy Birthday.”

Janae said she attended the summer program last year and was happy to be a part of the fun again. And her favorite part?

“All of the activities," she said. "Kickball, arts and crafts... .”