Fun times in hard times

Affordable ideas for summertime fun – splash parks and pools

 The Alachua spray park has become a popular attraction for area youngsters looking to cool off from the summer heat. 

When it’s 97 degrees in the shade, playing with the kids in the yard or taking them to the neighborhood park for a romp around the jungle gym just won’t cut it.

But who can afford pricey commercial destinations for summer fun when the economic climate is as dire as the heat?

A single-day pass to Universal Orlando’s water park Wet ‘n Wild, for Florida residents, both adult and child, is $32 plus tax. Single-day admission to either of Disney’s water parks, Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon, costs $46 for Florida residents ages 10 and up and $40 for ages 3 to 9.

All of these attractions offer various deals and discounts, which can be read about at their respective Web sites. But when adding the cost of feeding a family for the day, on top of ticket prices, plus the cost of gas to get there and back, the numbers aren’t budget-friendly.

For families looking for fun ways to beat the heat without hanging the plastic in their wallets out to melt, there are plenty of places to check out right here in Alachua County.

Those looking for a chance to get out of the house without overheating, or overspending, visit the splash park at the City of Alachua Hal Brady Recreation Complex.

Located just a minute’s drive from downtown Alachua, at 14300 NW 146^th Terrace, it doesn’t get any cheaper than free.

If the Orlando attractions are “water parks,” this is more like a “water playground.” But visit on a sunny afternoon and you will see that its modest scale does not deter from the gleeful shrieks of everyone from toddlers to 12-year-olds as they dart through the spurts of water shooting out of brightly colored piping.

Surrounding all the action is ample grass and a few picnic tables shaded by trees, beyond the range of any splashing or spraying. A high chain-link fence with a childproof gate encloses the entire area.

Rebecca, a mother of three, brought her son and two daughters to the splash park for the first time Wednesday afternoon. They live in High Springs, she said, and they usually go to Rum Island for a fun way to cool off.

“We wanted to try something new,” she said. She found out about the splash park via Facebook and decided to check it out.

Her children, 9-year-old Bryce, 8-year-old Hailey and 6-year-old Cheyenne, took a moment from playing to confirm their approval of the new choice.

The ultimate thing, their mother said, would be to have a pool.

The splash park was built about two years ago, according to recreation parks assistant Michael Washington. This summer, he said about 25 people minimum to 75 people maximum visit the park on an average day. Except for Saturdays, he added. On a busy Saturday the park might see as many as 100 guests.

It is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week in the summer, but hours may vary on the weekends if someone reserves it, which parents often do, he said, for children’s birthday parties.

Washington said it is free to reserve the park for a private party, but there are limits on how long it may be reserved.

If there is a craving for a pool to jump into, one can be found at the Westside Recreation Center in Gainesville.

Commonly referred to as Westside Park, the center is located at 1001 NW 34^th Street.  The facility features the 50-meter H. Spurgeon Cherry pool, diving boards and diving towers, a “splash pad” and an “aqua slide.”

Summer hours are noon to 7 p.m. during the week, noon to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Admission for adults is $3.65, and $2.35 for children ages 3 to 17 and for seniors 55 and up.

Gainesville is also home to two other public pools; the Northeast Pool, at 1100 NE 14^th Street, and Mickle Pool, at 1717 SE 15^th Street.

All three are staffed with lifeguards according to capacity, which usually amounts to six on duty at a time, according to the Aquatics Supervisor’s office.

Whether preferring to sunbathe or swim, knowing how to stay safe while doing it is the key to enjoying summer fun.

First, know the risks. According to a 2009 national survey by the American Red Cross, one in four adults have known someone who drowned.

To stay safe in the water, parents should know how to swim and how to perform CPR in case of an emergency. Children should never be left unattended around water, and the American Red Cross recommends that children take swimming lessons.

Don’t forget that staying out of the water can become just as dangerous as getting in.

To stay safe on land, wear sunscreen.

According to the American Cancer Society, “The vast majority of skin cancers are caused by unprotected exposure to excessive ultraviolet radiation (UVR), primarily from the sun,” and it is expected that almost 9,000 people will die from melanoma, a type of skin cancer, in the next year.

But while lathering up with the SPF, be it 15 or 100, don’t forget what other effects the hot sun can have on the body.

Whether swimming or joining in any outside activities in Florida’s summer heat, drinking plenty of water is all important.

Dehydration can lead to nausea, dizziness, heat exhaustion and even death.

And keep in mind that by the time a person is thirsty, he is probably already dehydrated.

By being prepared through swim lessons, supervision, CPR, sunscreen and plenty of drinking water, anyone can safely explore options for summer fun locally, like the Alachua splash park and Gainesville pools without having to sweat the cost.

Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of articles Alachua County Today will be featuring over the coming weeks highlighting summer-oriented activities available locally that are affordable and family-friendly. Check out Fun Times in Hard Times in next week’s edition for more tips and suggestions about where to find budget friendly summer fun in your area.