The Ponoka County Regional Fire Services - East District Fire Department teamed up with the Town of Ponoka to provide residents with an opportunity to cool off during the recent heat wave.
From 7 to 9 p.m. on July 28, the fire department had a water truck and barricades set up at Westview Park in Riverside to provide a ‘pop up’ splash park.
Using solely hydrant pressure, the department’s Ladder No. 9 aerial unit gently misted water on children and adults alike who ran under the spray and played in the saturated grass.
With temperatures reaching up to 30 degrees Celsius, the idea behind the event was to provide some relief from the heat, as well as offset demand at the Lions Centennial Park spray park.
The time was during the department’s regular practice night, and the event was somewhat spontaneous, being organized in about 24 hours, according to regional fire chief Dennis Jones.
Westview Park was chosen as it’s on the opposite side of town and it may be hard for some residents on the east side to go to Centennial Park, says Jones.
The fire department collaborated with the town to develop a COVID-19 action plan that was Alberta Health Services (AHS) compliant for the event and for permission to use the park.
The water works department ensured the hydrants were working earlier in the day and public works put up the barricades.