By Ashley M. Casey

Staff Writer

“Slip ‘N Slides, lawn sprinklers and having Dad spray me with a hose was all the rage,” Lysander Supervisor Joe Saraceni reminisced of his childhood summer fun, “and this takes it to the nth degree.”

The next level to which Saraceni is referring is the idea for a spray park, or splash pad, in Lysander Park. A spray park is a series of fixtures — water jets, misting arches, marine animal figures that spout water and even slides — that are mounted on a concrete pad.

This Saturday, the town will host its second public forum seeking feedback on the idea of a splash pad. The concept is part of Lysander’s “parks pivot,” a renewed focus on outdoor activities at Lysander Park.

“This wasn’t just some spur-of-the-moment idea,” Saraceni said. “It works parallel to our effort to get kids outside and interacting each other.”

“Adding a spray park like this, I’m looking to better meet the needs of the community,” said Recreation Supervisor Tony Burkinshaw. “We have a growing community — a lot of young families.”

Burkinshaw said he hopes shifting the focus outdoors will improve the town’s summer playground program, combat childhood obesity and bring new life to the park, which is located on Smokey Hollow Road.

“We do have a beautiful 75-acre park that we can utilize,” he said.

Saraceni said it has been several years since the town has invested in any major development of its park facilities.

“Lysander Park has reinvented itself many times, whether it was running a peewee soccer program in the ‘70s and ‘80s to running a daycare program now,” he said.

With the addition of the Northwest Family YMCA, Saraceni said, it’s time for the park to add more attractions for young families.

Last summer, the town of Camillus unveiled its own splash pad, the first in Onondaga County. According to Eric Bacon, director of parks and recreation for Camillus, it’s been a huge hit. For the first time in years, Bacon said, the parking lot was full.

“I can’t say enough good things about the splash pad, and I think it would be an excellent direction for your community to go,” Bacon said at Lysander’s public forum March 24.

The pool at Camillus Park closed after the 2009 season because of mounting maintenance costs and deteriorating facilities.

Bacon said the town spent between $75,000 and $100,000 each year to maintain the pool. The operating expenses for the Camillus splash pad last summer totaled $15,000.

Saraceni said the town of Camillus shelled out about $400,000 to install its splash pad, and Lysander could spend even more. He estimated the base cost of the spray pad at $230,000 to $280,000, but he said supporting infrastructure such as restrooms and drainage improvements would add to the final cost.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if this came in at $400,000 or $500,000,” Saraceni said.

The parks and rec department currently has about $210,000 available in its “in lieu of parks” fund, which comes from fees paid by developers to subdivide property. Saraceni said the town does not plan to deplete that fund to pay for a spray park and will look to local legislators to secure grants.

Saraceni said the town will accept public comments on the idea for the next month or so.

“We want to hear from you,” Burkinshaw said. “Right now, it’s just a concept, but if enough people support it, it could really happen.”

The town of Lysander will host another public forum on the spray park from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 8, at Lysander Town Hall, 8220 Loop Road in Baldwinsville.

You can view PAC-B’s recording of the March 24 forum at vimeo.com/210066121.

Asked and answered: Residents’ spray park questions and concerns

Adapted from the March 24 public forum

Q: Will there be a fee to use the spray park?

A: The town has not determined whether there will be a fee, but if so, it will likely be less than $1. Lysander Supervisor Joe Saraceni said a fee might lead residents to treat the equipment with more care. The Camillus splash pad has no fee. Lysander residents at the forum largely opposed the idea of a fee.

Q: Will the village of Baldwinsville and/or the town of Van Buren be involved?

A: Saraceni said the town is considering annexing Lysander Park into the village of Baldwinsville for better access to the village water system and to place the park under the jurisdiction of the Baldwinsville Police Department. Regarding a possible entrance fee, the town may consider a fee scale based on town residents and non-residents. One resident at the forum suggested tying this into access to Van Buren’s pool.

Q: How safe is a spray park?

A: The risk of drowning is very low as there is no standing water. Unlike a pool, a splash pad does not require a lifeguard, but the park will be staffed. Saraceni said some splash pads have a rubberized surface with sand mixed in for traction, but these surfaces can be more abrasive than plain concrete. Eric Bacon, director of parks and rec in Camillus, said, “Our splash pad is probably safer than our playgrounds are. When you have playgrounds, you have height involved. That’s why you always see usually wood chips on the ground.”