LAWTON – Amenities planned for two new splash pads in town should more closely resemble a Chevrolet than a Rolls-Royce, City Council members advised the city staff.
City Engineer Joseph Painter, Parks and Recreation Director Larry Parks, and architect Daniel Smith sought direction on what the councilors envision for splash pads at Lee West Park (Southwest 67th Street and Lynnwood Avenue) and Eastside Park (north of East Gore Boulevard between Flower Mound Road and Northeast 45th Street).
The 3,800 square-foot splash pad in Elmer Thomas Park is “awesome,” said Councilman Randy Warren.
“But basically what we want to do is create someplace to cool off in the summer when it’s 114 degrees. We can do this for less than a million dollars.” Splash pads in neighborhood parks “don’t have to be Taj Mahals,” Warren said. They should be designed to simply “squirt water and cool people off.”
A splash pad of 600 to 1,000 square feet would be adequate, preferably with no need for supervision besides parents of children frolicking in the water, Warren said. “We don’t want to have to hire a lifeguard for a splash pad.”
“Something quick, easy, and that gets people wet is what we need,” echoed Councilman Allan Hampton.
Councilman Bob Weger concurred. “Keep the schedule down so we can put them in more neighborhoods.”
“Keep in mind: we plan to expand Lee West and Eastside parks” in the future, Warren added. Phase II of improvement projects planned for both city parks include construction of new parking space, restrooms, and sidewalks “at a later stage,” Painter reported.