NEWBURGH – Children and adults beat the oppressive heat on Tuesday, July 25, at one of two new splash pads that opened just two days before in the City of Newburgh.
Last year, in response to the city’s aquatic center being closed, the city rotated open fire hydrants and an inflatable water slide when temperatures got to be over 90 degrees.
The splash pads offer a more consistent and dependable solution to beating the heat.
At the splash pad in Tyrone Crabb Park, several children including four-year-old Jayceon Williams ran in and out of the water with their friends, family and neighbors.
“It’s a better way (than the hydrants) because it’s an easier way to cool off” said Jayceon’s mother, Maya Williams.
“We come here all the time, but we come more for the sprinklers.” If the city was able to fix the aquatic center across town, she would rather bring her son to the pool, but this helps.
Life-long Newburgh resident Fernanda Durell said, “As long as the kids have something to do for the summer, it keeps them occupied and keeps their minds from wandering.”
The splash pad even attracted some adults. Epiphany Sholar found herself playing in the water as well. “I was definitely hot this morning and I was like let me go play in the water, get my feet wet. And I was like, you know, what I’m gonna get my whole body wet,” she said smiling brightly.
