GALION — Not one sad face could be found at the grand opening of Galion’s Splash Park on Friday.
Children showed up in droves, each grinning from ear to ear in excitement and anticipation of getting drenched by the fun water features.
Located at 1200 E. Walnut St., the aquatic playground contains interactive water features that were manufactured from recycled or recyclable materials by Water Odyssey, based in San Marcos, Texas.
While waiting for the official opening, Reagan See, who showed up with her sisters Alexis and Madisyn, said she was looking forward to getting “cooled off in the hot summer sun.”
The See sisters’ grandma, Brenda Bogart, lives in Galion and said she moved to the city about a year ago in order to “be close to things like this,” she said.
“We’re just thrilled with this,” said Anne Mahoney, who brought her 6-year-old grandson to the park.
Unlike swimming pools, aquatic playgrounds have no standing water.
The Splash Park has a water recirculation system; meaning, when water goes into a drain, it flows into a retention tank to be re-filtered and treated. Other control systems are in place that can turn off any of the water features or adjust water pressure.
Water quality samples will be taken daily by the City of Galion Water Department, similar to how samples are taken for the Heise Park Swimming Pool.
The park will be staffed by the YMCA or the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.
There is no charge for admission to the park, which is open Monday through Friday from noon to 5 p.m. (hours subject to change).
