There are some kinks to be worked out, but The Splash Pad at Turtle Cove in Larry G. Crites Memorial Park in Festus opened to the public Thursday morning, May 28, officials said.
Barb Lowry, the city’s director of recreation and tourism, said the splash pad portion of Turtle Cove at Lucas Field had, essentially, a soft opening with no fanfare because officials want to make sure it is fully functional before announcing its opening on all city media platforms.
“(The facility) is not 100 percent the way it should be,” Lowry said this morning, May 29. “It works well enough for the public to come use it.”
She said the city will have the system operating the splash pad checked out in the coming days.
Families who found the splash pad working the evening of May 28 said their children were enjoying it as is.
“It’s fantastic,” said Tammie Woodruff, 60, of Arnold, who was at the splash pad with her grandchildren who live in Festus. “My grandsons are having a ball. This is a nice, drop-in, play for a little while, spot.”
Sydnee Griffin, 30, of Festus, said her children were thrilled with the splash pad.
“I’ve got a 2-year-old and a 5-year-old running around,” she said. “We have had so much fun. They love the slide.”
Jasmine Barton, 21, of De Soto, said her little boy took to the splash pad as soon as he arrived.
“He’s 1 and a half,” she said. “He’s having a blast. He doesn’t want to go home.”
City officials on May 20 announced through social media that the splash pad was to open the next day, but it was discovered the facility’s electronics system had been fried from a lightning strike.
Lowry said after that situation, city officials have been reluctant to make another widespread social media announcement until they are confident it is working properly. In the meantime, it is fine for people to use the splash pad, she said.
She said city officials are looking at setting the hours of operation of the splash pad at 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. It will be closed on Mondays for maintenance and cleaning, she added.