Plaza opens with splash pad, skate park
Waterloo park also offers accessible basketball court, climbing structure
“For a park this size, it pretty much has everything you could ask for.” DORIAN BENNINGER SKATEBOARDER
WATERLOO — For Claudia Reyes, accessing the splash pad in Waterloo Park west is about a 10- to 15-minute drive.
“It’s pretty far from here, so we’re happy we have this place now,” she said Monday, while cooling off at the new Albert McCormick splash pad with her children, ages eight and three.
The new central plaza outside the Albert McCormick Community Centre, at 500 Parkside Dr., officially opened July 16. It also features a 5,000-squarefoot skate park and an accessible Bankshot Basketball court that provides people with much-needed park amenities closer to home.
Dorian Benninger, 32, who was using the skate park with kids less than half his age, said he often travels to Waterloo Park or Kitchener to enjoy the hobby he took up in back in Grade 7 and picked up again a couple years ago.
“There are other larger parks in the broader area, but I live close by to here and I’m just on lunch from work right now, so it’s nice to just come over here and skate back,” he said.
“For a park this size, it pretty much has everything you could ask for.”
Benninger believes that’s what the city is essentially trying to do by building more “medium-sized” outdoor recreational facilities that are more accessible to the neighbourhoods and communities in which they are located.
“This is right in my backyard basically,” said Ashley Hergott, who resides in a nearby housing complex and was there with her mom and two kids.
Gloria Hergott said she’s lived in Waterloo’s Lakeshore South community for about half a century but rarely attempts to take her grandkids to Waterloo Park anymore.
“We haven’t been in a while,” she said.
“It’s so busy there and we don’t even go because we can’t find a spot.
“I’ve lived here for ages and this (new spot) is great.” It’s a place she envisions her grandkids enjoying during all seasons.
The community centre is well-known for its library, ice rinks and community rooms. These spaces are now balanced with outdoor features that everyone can enjoy, noted local city Coun. Angela Vieth, in a news release about the opening.
“I look forward to seeing the plaza bustling with activity this summer and for many years to come,” she said.
Other parks underway in Waterloo include a BMX track in RIM Park and a skate park on the west side of the city, which is slated to open in 2022.
The new play area at Albert McCormick also includes a climbing structure and the city’s arts and culture team will hire a local artist to design and install two community benches.
The city is reminding residents to be mindful of COVID-19 physical distancing rules when visiting the plaza this season:
The splash pad is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
All other amenities are open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Splash court: During busy times, please keep your visit to less than 20 minutes.
Basketball court: During busy times, please keep your visit to less than 45 minutes.
If areas are busy, form a queue and wait your turn. Maintain a two-metre distance. Masks recommended while waiting.