The Bay of Naples Splash Zone in Herculaneum City Park has reopened just in time to for kids to cool off during the major heat wave plaguing the area.
The city reopened most of the water play area on Aug. 20 after it had been shut down for more than a year due to pipe leaks and other problems, Herculaneum City Administrator Jim Kasten said.
“For the hottest time of the year, it’s open,” Kasten said. “We’ve tested it, and it’s holding up.”
He said two fountains and the big bucket still don’t work, though.
The splash zone is adjacent to Kade’s Playground in Herculaneum City Park, 776 Joachim Ave. Both the splash zone and Kade’s Playground are all-inclusive facilities, meaning youngsters of all abilities may use them.
“We’re running (the splash zone) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day,” Kasten said. “We’ll probably keep it open until Oct. 1.”
He said the latest repairs to the splash zone cost between $8,000 and $9,000, with some bills yet to come.
The water play area, which opened in 2019, has been plagued with a number of different problems causing both short-term and long-term closures. It was closed off and on in the summer of 2022 due to a water pump break. Then it closed Aug. 25, 2022, and did not open until Aug. 20 of this year.
Kasten said city officials have not yet determined if the two fountains and the big bucket that currently are not working will be repaired because that would require digging up concrete to locate the pipe leaks before repairs could even begin.
“It’s up in the air if and when all of the features will be fixed,” he said.
The cost to build Kade’s Playground and Bay of Naples Splash Zone were covered in large part from money generated through fundraising efforts and through donations from people and organizations. Fundraising continues to help with maintenance costs.
One such fundraising event is a car show set for 2-6 p.m. Oct. 14 at Autumn Ridge Residences, 300 Autumn Ridge Drive, in Herculaneum. All proceeds benefit Kade’s Playground. For more information, call 636-931-8400.
Kade’s Playground is named after Kade Bauman, who was disabled and died in October 2011. His parents, Josh and Annette Bauman of Festus, helped establish the playground that accommodates children with special needs.