It’s been the only Aldergrove aquatic area that’s helped children beat the heat during the mass shutdowns COVID-19 has brought to Langley Township recreation.
The Philip Jackman Splashpad has quickly become a local family favourite.
Lauren Peterson, who lives a few blocks away, takes her two daughters – Scarlet, 7, and Rayleigh, 9 – there every few days to combat the heat.
“It’s a shame that the pool isn’t open yet,” Peterson told the Star on Monday.
“But we love it here.”
The sisters ran together through water showered from spray structures that resemble plant leaves, flowers, frogs, and vines in the newly-finished nature-themed area of the spray park.
Other parents took cover in the shade of trees planted along the edge of the concrete plaza, near the ocean-themed spray pad – first unveiled in Sept. 2019 – while their kids played around a ship.
This summer marks the end of the Township’s work to complete the spray pads.
Last winter, on Nov. 1, the Township completed construction of three colourful climbing structures so that toddlers ages 2 to 5 would have a playground to accompany the park.
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The Township had originally hoped the final touches, including the tot playground, would be completed last summer.
Phase two, which included painting the second spray pad, took four months longer than originally estimated.
The ocean- and nature-themed spray pads are connected by a blue flowing stream painting, finished the week of June 22.
Al Neufeld, the Township’s parks and recreation deputy director, previously told the Star the spray park was planned while the new Aldergrove Credit Union Community Centre (ACUCC) was nearing completion.
“It was part of the big story of the ACUCC,” he said.
Located at 27155 32 Ave., the Splashpad was built atop the old outdoor pool.
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Future plans for the park include removal of the adjacent washroom and changing room building that once serviced the outdoor pool.
A Township spokesperson confirmed that it will be removed later this year.
The only other plans in the works include improvements to existing park pathways.
Work on the project first began May 2019.
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