Lawton City Council looking at new splash pads to expand recreation for youth

The City Council wants to try a new tactic for summer recreation in 2024: build new splash pads at three locations.

Council members directed city staff Tuesday to solicit proposals from firms that can design and build splash pads at Lee West Park on Southwest 67th Street, Eastside Park on East Gore Boulevard, and in the parking lot of the municipal swimming pool on South 11th Street.

The municipal pool site actually was the issue that prompted the discussion. City staff and council members have been debating the aging and deteriorating swimming pool for several years, trying to decide whether it is worth funding the expensive upgrades the pool requires to keep it operational and meeting water treatment standards. The alternative has been exploring new aquatic amenities at other park sites, such as a water park in Elmer Thomas Park and more splash pads similar to the popular site near Elmer Thomas Park’s Playground in the Park.

Ward 8 Councilman Randy Warren, one of three councilmen who initiated Tuesday’s discussion, said splash pads could provide a temporary solution while city officials weigh exactly what needs to be done to the popular swimming pool in Mattie Beal Park. Allan Ferris, who lives near the pool, said something must be done to remedy problems with that facility, saying the pool “was open for an hour before it closed for the summer.”

While the city’s Parks and Recreation Department had intended to open the facility all summer, at no charge, problems prevented that.

“We’re still identifying problems,” said Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Mitch Dooley, adding he was disappointed the municipal pool was not operable.

While city officials have long known there are problems with the pool’s filtration system, they also realized there are leaks. Dooley said pressure testing conducted by city firefighters revealed two “massive leaks” in the pipe system that he said would “massively impact its operation in the future.”

Dooley said Warren’s proposal for a splash pad would be a good interim measure while city officials decide what needs to be done to make the municipal pool operable. Warren called the splash pad a short-term solution, providing water recreation for city youth while city officials make decisions. He said that pad would be built in the swimming pool’s parking lot, an area that – unlike the pool itself – is outside that area’s flood zone.

Warren asked council members to approve a plan to seek a firm to design and build three splash pads, using a system that would require those using the pad to push buttons to activate water features. That would help control excessive water use while eliminating the need for attendants. In addition to the three new splash pads, the contractor would be asked to analyze the Clement Washington spray park in George M. Lee Park, so that facility can be restored to full use.

Warren said his intent is to launch the project as quickly as possible so the splash pads are functional by May 2024, when the other splash pads open for the summer. Part of that analysis also will include determining whether a contractor or city crews will build a parking area in Lee West Park, something already being planned for visitors using that park’s popular Thunder basketball court.

Warren said in the meantime, Ward 5 Councilman Allan Hampton will continue his research into whether Oklahoma’s State Historical Preservation Office could provide grants that may offset the cost of repairing the municipal pool, as well as three wading pools also facing problems due to age and deterioration. Hampton has said the pools may qualify for grant funds because they could be deemed historic structures dating to the city’s earlier days.