The taps are turned on at four water parks throughout Nanaimo. They'll open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through the summer months. (City of Nanaimo)
SPRAY AWAY

Nanaimo water parks turn taps on for summer season

May 22, 2021 | 6:26 AM

NANAIMO — In a sure sign of summer, the city’s four spray parks are officially open.

Crews turned on the taps on Saturday, May 22 to line up with warm weather forecast over the long weekend.

Charlotte Davis, manager of parks operations, told NanaimoNewsNOW the facilities offer lots to do for kids and kids at heart.

“We have some features like large cannons which you can turn and spray at each other, the tipping buckets which you never quite know when they’re going to go…and then for the little kids some smaller jets that bounce around and you can run between.”

The water will be running daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. through the summer, with weather dictating when the valves will off for the year.

Davis said the parks offer a way to safely get some outdoors time with your family bubble, provided people maintain a safe physical distancing.

“The water is potable water, it is not recycled and staff do safety inspections three times a week in these locations so it’s a really great, fun, safe way to recreate outside.”

Upgrades were completed over the winter to Departure Bay Kiwanis Park, with a new fence installed to deter geese.

In addition to Departure Bay, the water will fly at Harewood Centennial Park, Mansfield Park and Deverill Square Park.

The water park at Parksville Community Park is remaining off for the time being, with the city awaiting direction from the provincial health officer.

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