It's the middle of June. It's hot. It's Houston. What better way to beat the heat and cool off than with a new solar-powered water park?
I should have packed my swimsuit so I, too, could cool off and play when I checked out the new splash pad that opened this week on the 3700 block of Lyons Avenue in the Fifth Ward.
The Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation partnered with Reliant in creating a 2,340 square-foot splash pad play area for local families and children. The 18 solar panels are expected to generate about 6,600 kilowatt hours of electricity. Not only do they power the water, but the panels also provide shade for people to enjoy some down time away from the beating sun.
"It doesn't require that intense amount of adult supervision that a swimming pool does."
"When you pass by here on the weekends or in the evenings, the park is just full of families, full of life," says Kathy Payton, president of the Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation. "This definitely helps us create an environment where people actually live, work and play here in the Fifth Ward."
Lyons Avenue was selected as the splash pad's location because it's one of the main quarters that run through the Fifth Ward running East and West.
"This area has gotten some attention from the city over the last year or so," Mayor Annise Parker says. "That's because this area is important to the City of Houston. It is not only historic, but it is a neighborhood with potential."
Officials consider a splash pad to be more beneficial to the community than a swimming pool because of safety and maintenance issues.
"The splash pad takes advantage of great technology, it provides a wonderful amenity where kids can play safely," Parker says. "It doesn't require that intense amount of adult supervision that a swimming pool does.
"And it's also a place where kids of all ages can participate equally, but it has an education component as well." Parker lived the dream herself, taking a quick run through the water in her business suit.
Surrounding the park are boards that detail alternative power sources and innovations.
The park will be open from May through September and it's free.
And the water park may just be the beginning of the neighborhood's continuing makeoever. A mere two blocks away, the long abandoned Deluxe Theater is in the works of being renovated in a partnership with the City of Houston. The theater will have the capacity to seat 125 people for performing and visual art events.
Reliant solar panels.
Grand Lux Cafe is known for its baked-to-order desserts. Grand Lux Cafe/Facebook