Cities Such as Saginaw, Michigan, Are Learning About Spray Parks

Instead of filling up a swimming pool, the water drains out.

And this is better than filling the pool.

How can this be? Doesn't that sound like a leak?

Saginaw, Michigan, is among hundreds of communities that are learning the answer.

The new trend is "spray parks," which feature padded surface areas for various gizmos that spray, shoot and cascade H-2-0.

Benefits:

(1) Even the smallest children can have fun in the water.

(2) Risk of drowning is virtually eliminated.

(3) Municipal governments no longer must pay lifeguards or perform expensive maintenance.

Saginaw is mapping a $1 million plan to replace its municipal pool with a spray park for children ages 12 and younger.

To serve the whole family, a skate park will entertain the teens and bocce courts will unlimber the adults. A picnic pavilion and fishing piers also are included for a jewel in the city's central parks system.

"This way is better. We can offer a little bit of something for all ages, and the best part is that admission is free," says Jeffrey Klopcic, the city's Geographic Information Systems coordinator.

Saginaw had a traditional municipal pool from 1946 until 1985, when age finally took its toll. It was named for businessman and philanthropist Frank Andersen, who donated the concrete.

Andersen reached an amazing age 108 before he died in 1997. During the 1980s, approaching centenarian status, he wished to contribute for a replacement pool. City leaders went for the more expensive option, popular at the time, of a pool with wave-making machinery. A pair of towering water slides added to the spectacle.

The first few seasons were successful but the novelty wore off. In a northern climate, Saginaw has a short season, and even in summer, the weather is off and on.

"Our operating subsidy was $175,000 when we finally closed the pool after the 2002 season," says City Manager Darnell Earley. "We cannot afford that kind of expense in today's hard times."

Thus the plan for the spray pool, which will depend on proposals for state funds and private donations. Earley says the annual subsidy should drop in the range of $25,000.