The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG-At the Nov. 17 Waitsburg City Council meeting, City Administrator Randy Hinchliffe reported he had purchased the components needed for a splash pad. The pad is being constructed at Waitsburg's Preston Park, so area youngsters have a place to cool off this summer.

A splash pad at Washington Park in Walla Walla has become very popular with parents of young children in recent years. Splash pads consist of a concrete pad embedded with various sprinklers, jets, and other water features. They provide a safe spot for children to play with friends and beat the summer heat.

The pad planned for Preston Park will feature Water Web, Waterspout, and Water Flower fixtures, an Over N' Under spout, and a Touch & Go bollard for easy water activation. The fixtures and controller cost a total of $29,244.53 and were purchased from Issaquah-based Northwest Playground Equipment, Inc.

Hinchliffe said that the splash pad will be constructed in an already-open area at the park, so the city will not need to remove trees or other plants. A contractor has not been secured for the project. Hinchliffe said he will start the process to secure a contractor in the spring.

The splash pad will be open from Memorial Day Weekend until at least the end of September. At prior council meetings, Hinchliffe voiced that one of the perks of the pad is the time flexibility. If the weather remains hot, the pad can be kept open later. There will be minimal work to winterize the project, and to prepare it for spring use.

The idea, which had been presented at multiple city council meetings, has not received much feedback from the community.