The 2016 10-Year Project
The Barrington Splash Pad
Once a decade, BJWC takes on a project meant to outlast the year it was built in. In 2016, the club's 80th anniversary, that project was a splash pad at Langendorf Park, built with the Barrington Park District and paid for by a community that kept saying yes.
What we built
A place where every child could play
BJWC partnered with the Barrington Park District on a 3,400 square foot splash pad with 19 interactive water features, universally designed so that children of all ages and mobility levels could use it, with its own entrance separate from the pool. It opened at Langendorf Park as the Freddie Herriman Pederson Splashpad, and it is still free to the public every morning.
How it came together
One year, many yeses
Members brought handbags to the October meeting for a "Second Hand, Hand Bag Sale." Cash and checks went straight to the splash pad fund.
Legendary Ladies, the fall fashion show, raised money toward grants, scholarships and the splash pad.
"Glitz, Gaming & Giving," the club's 80th anniversary Casino Night at Biltmore Country Club, raised more than $50,000. Chaired by Beth Wright, Cindy Galley and Laura Fitch under president Erin Shechtman.
The Barrington Area Community Foundation awarded BJWC a $70,000 grant for the splash pad, the largest single award in a grant cycle totaling $208,000.
The 50-50-50 Challenge: $50,000 in 50 days through $50 donations, with every donor's handprint going on the splash pad wall. Barrington kids made the signs. Quintessential Barrington ran the ad.
BJWC walked the parade with an 80th anniversary cake float and splash pad sprayers.
The splash pad is a summer fixture at Langendorf Park, and the club still gathers there. BJWC held a family day at the splash pad in August 2022.
From the archive
2016, as it happened
"Every ten years, BJWC takes on a larger community investment designed to leave a lasting legacy in Barrington."
The 90th anniversary project is underway now.