(Washington, DC) The Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) plans to install a new state-of-the-art spray park at DC Therapeutic Recreation Center, located at 3030 G Street, SE. This new spray park will offer children and their families a fun and safe play area to cool off. DPR has developed two design options for the spray park.

We need your help in deciding which design to install at DC Therapeutic Recreation Center. Feedback will be solicited at the October 3, 2006 ANC Meeting. This meeting will take place at the DC Therapeutic Recreation Center, 3030 G Street, SE at 6:30 pm. DPR plans to install the spray park in 2007.

If you have any questions about the planned DC Therapeutic Spray Park, or would like to express a preference for one of the designs, please contact Sharon Dendy at (202) 673-7692 or Jesse Rounds at (202) 673-7672. Comments should be received by close of business October 20, 2006.

A spray park is a water playground containing a variety of spray fixtures that are fun, safe and interactive. Because water is drained away before it can accumulate, the risk of drowning in a spray park is eliminated. The spray components comply with ADA safety standards, providing a safe and accessible play area for those in wheelchairs. A range of spray features are chosen to accommodate the needs of various age groups from toddlers to teenagers. Two design alternatives have been developed and use bright colors and simple shapes to creat a interactive play experience for children of many age groups.

Several components associated with music were chosen to expand the experience for children with disabilities. The central figure in both options is a flute player, “Kokospilli,” who sprays water. Both options also have Tuney Tube, a saxophone that sprays water and plays different notes when a nozzle is covered, and Tappin Tunes, a water-spraying keyboard that also plays notes.

Other components were chosen to appeal to different age groups. Pop-its are small ground sprays that spout unexpectedly and appeal to toddlers. The Captivator activates the park when pressed, but also sprays sheets of water and is a favorite with small children. Geysers and donut sprays appeal to all children. For older children there are Carronade cannons in both options. Both plans have benches for parents close to the toddler-oriented components.

Option A* In addition to the components mentioned above, this option includes circular elements and cannons that are surrounded by a yellow circle. It also has the Sneaky Soaker that dumps water unexpectedly and a grove of four flowering trees surrounding the spray park and perennial flowering plants on the east side of the park.  

Option B* This option provides active elements which are distinctly separated in a square. Also in addition to the components mentioned above, this option includes three wave sprays that create a tunnel for a different experience and a grove of five flowering trees surrounding the spray park.