Making A Splash At Newest Augusta Park

Making A Splash At Newest Augusta Park (Added: June 01, 2009)

It's a first for the Augusta Recreation and Parks Department...the new Splash Pad at Wood Park, and as the summer heats up, officials expect the kids to come out and cool down. WJBF News Channel ... (more)

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By George Eskola
Published: June 01, 2009

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Augusta, GA -- Ten-year-old Nijel Barksdale is a believer, he's sold on the city's new Splash Pad. “It's cool and its fun it's very fun to come here and chill and just have fun,” he said.

This is a first for Augusta’s Recreation and Parks Department...the new Splash Pad at Wood Park, off Highland Avenue. It is a water park, where the water comes falling from above, or jetting out of the ground. You can't swim laps, but you can cool down.

“I think the main thing is it gives the kids the opportunity to do what they really want to do and that's get wet it's safer for the kids to be out here doing this we don't have to worry about any kids drowning or getting into the deep end,” said Roger Wexler, the city Aquatic Supervisor.

The Splash Pad caters to kids 12 and younger, so it's a smaller crowd. There are life guards, though no deep water. Shamecha Story likes that. The Augusta Tech student was studying as her two little girls were playing in the water; she says there's a lot more peace of mind, here, compared to a regular pool.

“I would be worried if it was a big pool watching my kids right now I can do my homework and read a book and do what ever and I don't have to worry about them there's not a lot of water out there,” Story said.

It costs $1.50 to get in...50 kids at one time is the limit. And, even though it's just a drop in the bucket compared to other city pools, officials expect the kids will be coming out and having fun.

“For 12 and under I think so look at them you can look for yourself you can see the excitement in their eyes and voices here,” said Wexler.

Like we said, Nijel Barksdale is a believer. “It might be funner than a regular pool” he said.

$160,000 in sales tax money was used to construct the Splash Pad, but officials say it will be cheaper to operate than a regular pool. And, it is environmentally friendly. The 1,500 gallons used to cool down the kids is cleaned and recycled.