The bucket water feature at the White Rock Pinon Splash Pad douses a group Friday morning following the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Los Alamos County Council Chair Randall Ryti cuts the ribbon Friday morning at the White Rock Pinon Splash Pd with a little help. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Children enjoy the Splash Pad Friday morning following the ribbon cutting. The facility officially opened to the public at 1 p.m. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Los Alamos County Parks & Recreation Board Chair Trey Pereyra, left, chats with Los Alamos County Community Services Division Director Cory Styron Friday morning at the Spash Pad. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Pictured at the ribbon cutting Friday morning for the Pinon Splash Pad are, from left, Acting Deputy County Manager Linda Matteson, County Councilor Denise Derkacs, Councilor David Izraelevitz, Brittany Carpenter and her daughter. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
Los Alamos County Council Chair Randy Ryti pushes the magic button to activitate the water features. Photo by Maire O’Neill/losalamosreporter.com
BY MAIRE O’NEILL
maire@losalamosreporter.com
The White Rock Piñon Splash Pad project is now open to the public. A ribbon cutting was held at 10 a.m. Friday, however a grand opening for the public is planned after COVID restrictions are lifted.
Los Alamos County Council Chair Randy Ryti noted that the project was one of several one of several Recreation Capital Outlay projects approved by Council in 2017 with a total budget of $827,800 and construction began in 2020. Abby Feldman, the landscape artist from Surround Studio that designed the facility was on hand Friday as well as Craig and Rachel Wehner of Los Alamos Landscaping & More which constructed the splash pad.
“Council appreciates the community engagement trhroughout the process including the concept feature elements and water feature system design. The splash pad features a flow-through water system which is designed to use municipal tap water without the need to have additional chemicals or treatments.Using this system reduced the overall budget of the project as well as the cost to run and maintain the facility,” Ryti said.
He said the Los Alamos Art in Public Places Board has contracted with artist Carrie Quade to design an interactive maze that complements the elements and colors of the splash pad which will be installed on the wall of the shade structure later this year.
“County Council would also like to thank Anthony Strain, the project manager, for his oversight of the project as well as the Parks crew for their support during the length of the project. The new splash pad will provide a space for children to play in the water features while parents relax in the shaded spaces during warm months,” Ryti said.
The Splash Pad is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Labor Day weekend. Adult supervision is recommended for the facility as it is unsupervised. The Community Services Department notes that athletic or similar equipment is not allow and asked that users don’t climb on the water features. Animals are prohibited.
Also in attendance were Councilors Denise Derkacs and David Izraelevitz as well as County Parks & Recreation Board Chair Trey Pereyra and Board Member Darren Meadow. Community Services Department Director Cory Styron, Public Works Director Ann Laurent, County Engineer Eric Martinez and Acting Deputy County Manager Linda Matteson were also present.
The Splash Pad is located at Pinon Park (Rocket Park) on Sherwood close to the Youth Activity Center and White Rock Library.