Photo Credit: Courtesy of City of Tacoma, Wash
As finances become tighter and legislation on pool regulations become tougher, parks and recreation departments are faced with finding new ways to use aquatics as summer entertainment, while keeping budgets in line. Some are turning to spraygrounds as a solution.
Eliminating Swimming Pools
Over the years, the Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation Department has tried to find a winning combination to please its population with places to cool off in the hot summer months. Three years ago, the department incorporated family aquatic centers with a newer idea--spraygrounds.
“The interest and attendance have been much higher than with traditional swimming pools,” says Wendel Whisenhunt, parks director. The average stay at swimming pools was between 45 minutes to an hour. Residents are staying at spraygrounds an average of three to four hours per visit.