Kids don’t wait for ribbon cuttings.
Soon after the fences came down Friday, but hours before Snohomish County dignitaries arrived, children figured out how to turn on the new spray pad at Willis Tucker Community Park.
Just rest a hand on the black globe and the fun begins.
The pumps started up, pushing water from a 3,000-gallon tank that treats and recycles the water.
Cannons charged up, the splash palace poured sheets of water, and jets burbled water up from the ground.
It was too much to resist. Fully clothed or in swimsuits, children — toddlers to teens — sprinted through the dousing machines and stood under dunkers.
Hundreds of kids tested the toys Friday, the inaugural day for the spray pad. “It’s been nuts all day,” county parks director Tom Teigen said.
Temperatures were in the 50s, but the concrete pad was still warm.
Grinning and dripping wet, kids reflected on the new addition to their neighborhood.
“I kind of like the dragon sprayer,” said Kyle Dvorak, 9, who called his friends up to join him for the opening of the new water toys.
“I like the guns that squirt out,” said Parker Zenier, 9. “It’s really good to come with your friends. I’d give it five stars.”
How often do the kids plan to come to the park?
“Once a week,” Kyle said.
“Twice a week,” Parker said.
“Every day,” said Lucy Dvorak, 5.
Moms met their shivering kids on the edge of the spray pad, designed to be safely out of the range of water cannons.
Lori Dvorak, mom and designated towel holder, said the park is great for the neighborhood.
“We can walk here and it’s free,” she said.
Kids that might be too old for parts of the playground aren’t too old to get wet with the sprayers and dunkers, said Candy McDaniel, another mom.
The spray pad will open from 10 a.m. to dusk daily, Teigen said. Though the water isn’t heated, it warms up by absorbing some heat from the concrete before it is recirculated, Teigen said.
The park is the third for Snohomish County. The others are in north Lynnwood and at Forest Park in Everett.
The spray pad cost about $300,000 and is part of $600,000 in improvements to Willis Tucker park. An amphitheater and ball fields are under construction.
Parks officials expect the spray pad to be popular. There are about 4,000 homes within one mile of Willis Tucker park.
Crystal Bjorback brought her two boys: “We needed this in the area really bad.”
Reporter Jeff Switzer: 425-339-3452 or jswitzer@heraldnet.com.
Where to splash
The new water spray pad at Willis Tucker Community Park is open 10 a.m. to dusk. The park is at 6705 Puget Park Drive just off Highway 9 east of Mill Creek and south of Snohomish.
Cool toys at the park include Tricky Soaker, Silverflow Cannon, Aqua Dome, Splash Palace and more.
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