Enfield Parents Fuming After Preschool Group Told To Leave South Windsor Splash Pad

SOUTH WINDSOR, CT — A refreshing end-of-summer excursion to a splash pad in nearby South Windsor ended in disappointment and tears for more than three dozen preschool children from Enfield, who were abruptly asked to leave the park by a town official Wednesday.

About 38 students from the Enfield Child Development Center, along with staff members and some parents, had been at the splash pad in Nevers Park for about an hour when South Windsor Town Manager Michael Maniscalco arrived and told the group it had to leave, according to parent Morgan Dominguez.

Staff members told Maniscalco that the excursion had been planned months in advance through the Parks and Recreation Department, but the town manager was adamant the group depart, parent Christina Doughtie said.

The town does not have a specific policy forbidding usage by non-residents. The Park and Rec Department website carries a vaguely ambiguous statement, "The splash pad is designed for the community's enjoyment."

Doughtie sent Maniscalco a scathing email after the incident, accusing him of lying about the number of people of other patrons at the park, which he claimed was "about 40." Doughtie said the actual number was about 15, "some of whom were not even using the splash pad," and the Enfield group was sending the kids into the water in smaller groups of 15 or so.

She concluded her note by stating, "You should be ashamed of yourselves. Your behavior and attitude today was disgusting."

In response to an email from Patch Thursday morning, Maniscalco wrote, "Yesterday two bus loads of children unexpectedly showed up at the Town splash pad causing an over crowding condition and impacting residents ability to safely and comfortably use the facility. We offered the playground and other parts of the park to the group. Had they called ahead and worked with our Parks and Rec staff we could have worked with them."