Colusa could have its first children’s water park up and running by summer.
The City Council on Tuesday approved the purchase of splash pad equipment that includes a “duck” sprayer, a “spray way” arch, a Popp Drop, a “fill and spill” bucket water drop, a Ladybug spout, and a tractor sprayer.
The council in 2021 authorized the splash pad to be built in Davison Park, next to the swimming pool, using the city’s $177,000 per capita allocation from Proposition 68, a Park and Water Bond Act of 2018.
The splash pad’s water features, which cost about $98,000, will be purchased from Water Odyssey, which holds a state bid contract, said City Engineer David Swartz. Construction of the pad and installation of the pipes and equipment is currently out to bid.
“I’m hoping to have the splash pad in operation by Memorial Day weekend,” Swartz said.
The water park will be designed primarily for younger children, ages 3 and up, and will be self-activated at a “touch and go” bollard.
How long the features stay on will be controlled by the city through a pre-set timer, which may allow the water to run only for a few minutes before requiring the child or parent to reactivate the park by touching the button, Swartz said. The park timer can also be pre-set to operate only during specific hours and to shut off completely at dark, so as not to waste water during persistent drought.
“That obviously is not going to change, in my opinion, anytime soon,” Councilman Daniel Vaca said. “We can run it on specific hours and with less equipment and staff, because we do have to be conscious of the water situation.”
Rather than a recirculating water park of chemically treated water (like a swimming pool), Colusa’s splash pad will use groundwater (potable tap water), which will drain back into the city’s sewer system, which will then be treated at the wastewater treatment plant before being released for crop irrigation purposes.
The various water features release differing amounts of water. The duck sprayer spurts out 13 gallons per minute; the tractor spays about 50 gallons of water per minute, Swartz said.
The splash pad – a combination of misters, fans, and sprays – will be ADA accessible, have no-slip surfaces, and will feature equipment that comes in a canvas of colors, shapes, textures, and light. ■