City identifies top locations for new splash pads

City staff has identified the top locations in Guelph for new splash pads, hopefully in the next 10 years.

The new Eastview Park on Watson Parkway, Riverside Park, Margaret Greene Park on Westwood Road, Peter Misersky Park on Hadati Road, Orin Reid Park on Goodwin Drive and Lyon's Park are the locations.

They are listed in a staff report approved by City Council's Committee of the Whole Tuesday night and now heading to full council for final approval.

The report recommended staff identify locations and funds for council to consider for new splash pads and for two of the cities three aging wading pools – at Sunny Acres Park, Exhibition Park – to be eventually replaced by splash pads at the end of their lifecycles. Little-used Mico Valeriote Park wading pool would be closed.

"Splash pads are a popular public amenity to add into parks and need to be planned and located properly to facilitate balanced distribution across the city, while being cost effective to build and operate," said the report.

The city estimates that 35,000 people a year currently use the city's splash pads.

New splash pads cost between $400,000 to $600,000 each to build and $15,000 a year to operate. The city will explore possible funding options, including development charges, to help pay for them.

Splash pads are more accessible and use much less water than wading pools.

The city's three wading pools, the youngest of which is 40 years old, cost $19,700 year to operate.

Guelph currently has five splash pads with two new splash pads – at Jubilee Park in the south end and the new Northview Park in the north end – set to open this summer.

Mayor Cam Guthrie pointed out that the city only has one skate board park and zero bike parks but was assured by staff that new splash pads do not mean that other types of parks are being put on the back burner.

"It's not one over the other... we're always assessing," said Deputy CAO Colleen Clack.