Although nothing is certain, Holbrook City Manager Ray Alley is looking into the possibility of constructing a splash park behind city hall.
Splash parks typically consist of sprinklers, fountains, showers and sprayers, often shaped like animals, that allow children to play in the water without being submerged. They are popular in large cities, and are beginning to appear near malls and in place of traditional playgrounds. The majority of these parks are unstaffed and offer no supervision. Visitors may come and go in the same way as a traditional playground park.
Many of the features of a splash pad park are similar to the spinning toy sprinklers available for home use, but are much larger and built to withstand constant use. Other popular features include buckets at the top of towers that tip over when filled, mushroom or flower-shaped towers that drip or shower water, and hoops and arches that spray a fine mist. Concrete catch pads are usually placed at the base of the water features to collect the water and prevent it from pooling.
Alley explained that he believes such a park could be constructed in Holbrook at a minimal cost. He also noted that the park will not require constant supervision or oversight like the city swimming pool, further controlling costs.
The idea for the park came from a splash pad park located near Alley’s second home in Queen Creek. He noted that such a park would provide much-needed entertainment for children in Holbrook as well as beautify the empty lot behind city hall. The lot previously served as the site of the city swimming pool, prior to construction of the current facility just south of Park Elementary School. It has been empty for a number of years, and Alley pointed out that it is an eyesore that should be improved.
A meeting has been set for Sept. 11 with a representative from the splash pad park in Queen Creek. The representative will travel to Holbrook to view the area and advise Alley regarding the feasibility of converting the space to a splash park. Alley noted that at this point it is only an idea, and the meeting will help determine whether it could become a reality. Cost will be a major deciding factor in whether the park might be constructed.
If the park is feasible, it will require city council approval to expend the funds and begin construction.
