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Wilkes-Barre Working to Get Splash Pad Running Again

WILKES-BARRE — Coal Street Park in Wilkes-Barre is getting ready to turn on its splash pad, but not everyone in the area is getting their hopes up. The sp...

WILKES-BARRE -- Coal Street Park in Wilkes-Barre is getting ready to turn on its splash pad, but not everyone in the area is getting their hopes up.

The splash pad has been notorious for breaking down on some of the hottest days, but city officials say they're optimistic that this year the park will be a place where people can cool down.

This splash pad has only been open for a couple years, but every year it's broken down.

City officials said Tuesday everything has been fixed and the splash pad should be open by mid-June. They added they're putting in something new to further help people cool down.

Kids who play at Coal Street Park look forward every year to the splash pad turning on. The splash pad did work for a while last summer, but then it broke. 4-year-old Natalia Perry remembers being turned away.

"My mom just had to go and we [went] home, so I had to wait until next summer," Perry said.

Parents who take their kids to this park add the splash pad is sometimes the only way these kids find relief from the summer heat.

"There's no alternative to cool down. They don't have the luxury of AC in every room. There is no central air. Children as young as five all the way up to 14 are crossing Coal Street to get over there," said Amanda Stiles of Wilkes-Barre.

"Within two weeks it should be up and running," said David Lewis with Wilkes-Barre Department of Public Works.

The city doesn't anticipate another break down this summer. Wilkes-Barre's Department of Public Works says the splash pad has been fixed and should open as scheduled.

"Within two weeks it should be up and running," said David Lewis with Wilkes-Barre DPW.

And to ensure that Coal Street Park is a place people can find relief instead of frustration, they're adding a new pavilion.

"I'm not sure if the citizens know we are putting up a new pavilion. When they come back for the summer this is going to be a nice surprise," Lewis added.

For years, a tree has been the only source of shade for many parents and children playing in the nearby playground or even the splash pad. But now it's become a hazard and that's why they are installing the new pavilion.

"I think that's wonderful because not only are the kids looking for shade, but the parents are too. When the parents are coming sometimes, they have the stroller with the babies and the stroller's not enough to keep that sun off the baby," Stiles said.

Wilkes-Barre hopes to have the pavilion finished soon and the splash pad up and running all summer long.

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