Splash Pad opens Friday

Lincoln Hargrave, 6, sprays water Friday, June 30, 2017, at the Rotary Splash Pad at Spring Lake Park. Families have been coming to the splash pad to stay cool while playing in the summer heat since 2012, when it first opened. (Photo by Kayleigh Moreland)
Lincoln Hargrave, 6, sprays water Friday, June 30, 2017, at the Rotary Splash Pad at Spring Lake Park. Families have been coming to the splash pad to stay cool while playing in the summer heat since 2012, when it first opened. (Photo by Kayleigh Moreland)

The Rotary Splash Pad at Spring Lake Park will open for the season Friday, the Texarkana, Texas, Parks and Recreation Department announced.

The Splash Pad, a whimsically designed set of sprinklers and fountains for children to play in, will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through the summer.

One exception is June 13, when the Splash Pad's hours will be extended in conjunction with a Movies in the Park screening of "Aquaman" at dusk, around 8:30 p.m.

The Splash Pad may also close without notice because of maintenance, water restrictions, cool weather or special events.

Splash Pad rules include:

  • No food or drink may be brought in.
  • No pets may be brought in.
  • No smoking is allowed in or around the Splash Pad.
  • No running in the Splash Pad.
  • No climbing on the Splash Pad equipment.
  • No bicycles, skateboards or skates allowed in.
  • Appropriate swimwear or street attire is required. Rubber-sole shoes only.
  • Swim diapers are required for young children who are not toilet trained.
  • Children 12 and under require adult supervision at all times.
  • Individuals who are sick or have open sores should not enter the Splash Pad.

The Splash Pad opened in October 2012 at the site of a closed swimming pool in Spring Lake Park, and it has proved to be one of the most popular attractions in the Texas-side parks system.

Initial cost was about $260,000, which the city fronted and the Rotary Club repaid, according to previous Gazette reports.

A post on the Parks and Rec Facebook page Monday mistakenly reported the Splash Pad was open then.

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