Published: July 09, 2009 11:19 pm      

TOWN OF TONAWANDA: Sheridan Parkside spray park provides a refreshing diversion

Where a tiny wading pool once sat, a forest of plastic tubes, arches and cannons have sprung up — and they all spray cool, heat-quenching blasts of water.

The Sheridan Parkside spray park had its grand opening Thursday, with plenty of local children splashing in to enjoy the super-sized version of running through the sprinkler. Youth, Parks and Recreation Department Director Dan Wiles said the project has been in the works since 2001 to replace the under-utilized kiddy pool.

“We worked a few different angles to get funds for it, then when the grants came through the town was going through its own financial crisis,” Wiles said.

Sue Barnes, president of Grantmakers Advantage, said after two years of work a New York State grant provided $150,000 on the condition that the town match it, and a member item secured by former State Senator Mary Lou Rath brought in another $25,000.

All told, the first phase of the project cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $380,000, but Wiles said that money has bought the area a drastic improvement. The wading pool was only good for children between the ages of 4 and 6, required lots of adult supervision and could only be kept open for a few months each year.

“A facility like this spray park can be used longer through the year, because it just has to be turned on,” Wiles said.

Jessica Nowak, fitness director at the Aquatic and Fitness Center, designed the layout with curious little imaginations in mind. While the wading pool required parents to be within arm’s reach of their children, the spray park gives them room to roam safely.

“They can walk around, explore and have an adventure here,” Nowak said.

The interactive water toys — created by a company called Waterplay and installed by the Western New York company Parkitects — come in all shapes and sizes. A green tube stretches up like an oversized straw, dumping water out of its spout and squirting more from smaller holes leading up. A yellow spout shaped like a trumpet plays music when any of the tiny streams coming from its tube are plugged. Two poles bearing smiling suns create an umbrella-shaped area of mist underneath. A clear tube creates a water tornado inside and then sprays it out the top. And a big blue water cannon gives children the chance to hose down their peers.

Nowak said this is just the beginning, with two more cannons and other additions to be added when the town’s budgetary process allows. Wiles said a booster is also in the works to jack up the water pressure. Now, parents can run around with their family, older siblings can cool off with the younger ones and everyone can have a good time in the sunshine.

Interest and funding permitting, Nowak said she’d like to have the park be one of many.

“I would love to see these in different communities in the town also,” she said.

Contact reporter Daniel Pye at 693-1000, ext. 158.