Herriman is adding a splash park, at approximately 14050 S. Rosecrest Road, to its list of family recreation venues.

The 85-by-35-foot play area will cost an estimated $84,000 and will be paid through park impact fees, said Brett Wood, executive director of city operations. The reason: families need more places to play outdoors.

City officials hope to have the splash park up and running Memorial Day weekend, Wood said.

"I think it's a great little activity for mothers with young families to go get them out of the heat and out of the house and do something with their families," he said. "Kids play too many computer games now days, too much TV. This gets them out of the house and gets them out running around, playing and cooling off."

Fifteen different sprays, shaped in a variety of designs, will shoot water from the ground and from above. Some of the spray shapes include a rainbow, a rooster tail, a cylinder and a flower. Water is scheduled to run in the park May through October each year.

The playground's rubber ground surface should help minimize injuries when children are running around, said Danie Bills, city event and recreation manager.

"We're really excited about this park," Bills said. "I think everyone from small children on up to their parents will be out playing in this. It will be multiple-use, but I bet the little kids love it the most."

The city also plans to build two gazebos, a number of picnic tables, benches and barbecues adjacent the splash park. It will be a big draw for families and ideal for birthday parties, she said.

"I know that everyone who has heard about it has had really great things to say about it," Bills said. "They're very excited about it and want to be the first ones out there. There's a pretty big need for it."

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E-mail: sbills@desnews.com