Wading pools get high-tech facelift
All water areas to be open by July 3
Slowly but surely it’s getting warmer outside, warm enough at last to take the kids to a local spray park.
There are more than 50 water features spread out in the east, west and south neighbourhoods of Edmonton — one in every three community leagues. A spray nozzle operates like a sprinkler, with the water draining into the ground, while a spray deck has several features built into the asphalt or play equipment such as water guns, buckets and dragons.
Most wading pools in the city have been converted into spray parks because that is cheaper than adding a circulation and filtration system to the pools, a requirement of Alberta Health Services.
“Community partners had the choice of what they’d like to see for their water amenity and most have gone with the water spray park because … it’s a significant cost to put in a circulation and filtration system,” said Dee Dee Carr, supervisor for community recreation programs.
That cost is more than $500,000 compared to about $200,000 to retrofit a wading pool to a spray park.
“Some have chosen to go with a spray park because they think that will serve the needs of the community better than a wading pool,” added Carr.
All of the parks will be open by July 3 but a few are already in operation including Mary Finlay, Cloverdale, Strathearn, Strathcona, Laurier Heights, Glenora, Westmount and Hudson. Sites at Aspen Gardens, Avonmore, Balwin, Beacon Heights, Highlands, McKernan, Queen Alexandra and Westwood are still under construction.
The water features turn on via motion sensors and buttons and operate on a timer system from approximately 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the summer. Many also have supervisors during certain hours.
“(They provide) general site safety, ensuring that there’s no glass on the deck, ensuring patron behaviour is appropriate and safe, and customer service,” said Carr.
“Because there’s no water pooling there are not the same risks as an outdoor pool or wading pool,” she said.
Children who are under the age of six require a guardian who is at least 14 years old.
About one-third of spray parks also fall under the city’s Green Shack program, where staff members monitor both playground and water park activities for free. Green Shack supervisors are at least 17 years old, have first aid training and undergo criminal background checks. “It’s a free drop-in service that allows children aged six to 12 to join in games, sports, crafts, music and special events that are occurring,” said Carr.
A couple of the spray parks also have extra amenities. King Edward has a six-lane swimming pool, sun deck, picnic tables, concession, complimentary lockers and a neighbouring playground, and Riverdale offers a family night on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m.
For a map of city spray parks, their hours of operation and the times when supervisors are on-site, go to edmontonjournal.com/sprayparks. The map also features other community resources, such as soccer fields, playgrounds, libraries, schools and daycares.