City spray parks about to reopen for summer season; Mayan-themed water park on the way

Cooler temperatures are hitting the Borderland Thursday, but warmer temperatures are just around the corner. With summer coming to El Paso faster than many are ready, the City is preparing to help El Pasoans stay cool.

Starting Saturday, April 13, the spray parks will reopen for the spring and summer season.

“We have eight spray parks located throughout the city,” said Amy Wheeler with El Paso Parks and Recreation. “Eastside, westside, centralized, northeast. We have a splash pad also in San Jacinto Plaza.”

The parks are open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. until October 30. The City also has a spray park for dogs.

“If you want to take your dogs to a spray park, it’s at the Pavo Real off of Presa Street,” said Wheeler.

Starting next summer, the spray parks won’t be the only places provided by the city where residents can keep cool.

The City broke ground for a Mayan-themed water park called Lost Kingdom at Ross Middle School Thursday.

“It’ll just be a lot of recreation, a lot of fun,” said District Two City Representative Alexandra Annello, “There’ll be a wading pool, there’ll be a climbing wall, a lazy river, pools, cabana and the option to rent. you can have a birthday party here, a graduation, or any special event.”

The City is partnering with El Paso Independent School District to use land at Ross Middle School, Annello saying they want to utilize the land for the community.

“This location is really important because of the people around it,” she said. “There haven’t been to many city amenities in this area.”

The project is funded through the 2016 Quality of Life Bond and cost $12 million.