TULSA, Okla. — Tulsa County had to close the Chandler Park splash pad seven times this season and it’s not because of a drought or broken parts.
"We're just here to play with our kids on a hot day," said mom Maddie Owens.
Owens said she’s been trying to keep her kids cool in the summer heat, but not knowing if the splash pad will be open makes that more difficult.
2 News reached out to Tulsa County Parks Communications Director Karsten Villanueva for an explanation.
"We have closed seven times due to bodily fluids in the water," she said.
Villanueva said the water is recycled, so if there is an accident, the water has to be filtered, which takes up to six hours.
Yep, you read that right, many little ones are using the splash pad as a restroom causing so many closures.
One day Owens drove 20 minutes to the water park and had to turn all the way around.
"We've been here, and we've been told we can't go in, which is really disappointing because we got the kids all sunscreened up and ready and then explain to them we can't play," said Owens.
And for Owens's little ones, they said this is their favorite splash pad that sometimes they can't play in.
"It kept being closed. We were sad," said Eleanor Owens.
The staff urged visitors to use the restroom before coming in to play.
"Children that require diapers or swim diapers that they wear those diapers to avoid accidents from going places we don't want them to go," said Villanueva.
The park staff told 2 News they want everyone to enjoy the splash pad and stay cool, just follow the rules.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere --
- Download our free app for Apple, Android and Kindle devices.
- Sign up for daily newsletters emailed to you
- Like us on Facebook
- Follow us on Instagram
- SUBSCRIBE on YouTube
