The votes are in! The Park Authority’s Our Special Harbor spray ground was just named the No. 2 splash pad in the nation in the 2023 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. The splash park was one of the top 20 locations selected to a short list by a panel of editors from USA Today and 10Best, and other expert contributors. After four weeks of voting, Our Special Harbor came in second in the nationwide people’s choice selection. The popular water feature is set to open the 2023 season on Saturday, May 27.

Our Special Harbor is a fully accessible, Chesapeake-Bay-themed spray ground with many ways for guests to have fun and cool off on a toasty summer day. From a lively set of super-soaking features, such as Chessie the sea serpent, misting lighthouse and a spraying osprey nest to the softer flow of the beach area with bubblers and water tables, everyone is sure to get wet and have a great time.

And that’s not all! Our Special Harbor is not the only attraction at the Franconia Family Recreation Area. Don’t forget to take a stroll along Chessie’s trail, visit the tree house, have a blast on Chessie’s Big Backyard playground, and take a turn on our fully accessible carousel. With a variety of activities and sensory features, the whole park offers something for kids of all ages, abilities and interests.

For more information about Our Special Harbor and the other features of the Franconia Family Recreation Area, visit the Franconia Family Recreation Area website.

The Franconia Family Recreation Area is co-located with Franconia Park at 6601 Telegraph Road, in Franconia. For more information, call 703-922-9841.