After much anticipation, Royston Splash Park has opened, receiving a warm reception in the town.

Royston Crow: Lisa's sons James aged 9 and Tommy aged 2.Lisa's sons James aged 9 and Tommy aged 2. (Image: Archant)

The new addition to Royston town centre, which includes features like interactive water jets, a Maypole and play streams, opened in Priory Memorial Gardens at the weekend and will stay open during the summer months.

Royston artist Lisa Stanway said: “I have three boys and I took the two youngest, James aged nine and Tommy aged two, on Sunday.

“I think the new splash park is a welcome addition to Royston, it’s so lovely to be able to take the kids without having to drive – and we got ice cream from the kiosk which was a bonus.

“Both boys loved having a splash while us parents had a sit and laughed at them messing around.

“It’s in a perfect place in the park and I know we’ll take full advantage this summer.”

Sarah Blair, who works part-time at Tesco, said: “I’m going to take my three children there as soon as the weather is nicer, but I think I’d rather have a go myself!”

North Hertfordshire District Councillor Jane Gray, with the leader of the council – councillor Lynda Needham, Royston mayor Sarah Dingley, along with other councillors and guests, attended a special ceremony on Thursday to celebrate the completion of the work. While there, they chatted with the contractors, Sun Safe Play Systems Ltd and saw the new facilities in action before final safety inspections were carried out.

A Facebook group was set up by members of the community, called Royston needs its own Splash Park, and renamed Royston Has its own Splash Park, which was instrumental in putting the wheels in motion.

Founder Cathryn Jaffray said: “Back in 2013, I went to Letchworth Splash Park with my son, and I thought it would be nice if we had one here. I set up a Facebook page, and it snowballed. We arranged a meeting with councillors, and they were on board straight away. It’s been great and really given us a sense of community, working together by organising petitions and meetings. It will make the school holidays so much easier – we won’t have to pack a picnic and go to another town. Everyone put so much work in and county councillor Fiona Hill was fantastic.”

Councillor Jane Gray, responsible for leisure at the district council, said: “We conducted extensive consultations with the Royston community to establish the type of facilities the public wanted to see before creating the initial park designs, and we are now delighted to see those designs become a reality.”

North Herts District Council will be holding a ‘Fun in the Park’ event on Tuesday, July 26, from 10am until 12pm to celebrate the opening of the splash park. There will be opportunities for children to take part in activities, including sporting challenges, inflatable fun with a bouncy castle and arts and crafts. There will also be organised games and active play equipment such as balance boards, pogo sticks and stilts.