If his kids wanted to enjoy a spray park last summer, Chad Mogg had to herd them into a car and drive them down to the Miller Hill Park near Berezowsky School.
This summer, he only has to take them on a short walk.
Mogg and his two daughters were just a few of the local residents who turned out to take advantage of city’s newest spray park, which officially opened in Crescent Acres on Thursday.
As a member of the Crescent Acres Community Club executive, Mogg is thrilled to see new recreation facilities in his area. As a parent he’s even happier, and so are his kids.
“They were running around the house, grabbing their bathing suits and towels, pretty much running out the door,” Mogg chuckled. “Now, they’re running around with other kids. It’s good.”
The Crescent Acres Spray Park is the seventh to open in the city, and judging by early returns it’s going to be one of the most frequently used. Mogg said the neighbourhood is filled with young families, and having proper recreation facilities is a big boost to their quality of life.
“As a parent, you’re wracking your brain. How can I get them outside? How can I get them active? How can I get them off the iPads and computers and TV’s?” he explained. “Having this right here available is a great way, as a parent, to say, ‘okay, let’s go to the spray park,’ and get them outside, get them unplugged for a few hours.”
Thursday’s grand opening was a long time in the making, and city administrators are happy to see it finally come to fruition.
City parks manager Tim Yeaman said other city spray parks are wildly popular, so the idea of building a few more isn’t out of the question.
“If we could put a spray park in every neighbourhood it would be great,” Yeaman said. “I think it’s a great opportunity for families to get out and to meet each other, and for their kids to play together. I think that’s what community is all about.”
The price tag for the Crescent Acres Spray Park will come to roughly $200,000 once the final landscaping projects are finished in the fall.
Ward 5 Coun. Dennis Ogrodnick said the project is good value for the city dollar, and like Yeaman, he too wants to see more of them pop up around the city, particularly in nearby Crescent Heights, which has a paddling pool, but no spray park.
“This gives children in the summer an opportunity to have some extra playtime and some recreational time, for families to spend their time together,” said Ogrodnick, who helped push the project forward along with Ward 6 Coun. Blake Edwards. “As you can see, it’s packed.”
The new Crescent Acres Spray Park is located at 1691 Olive Diefenbaker Drive, behind the local outdoor skating rink. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.