ASHLAND — Water geysers, sprinklers and water tipping buckets roared back to life on Saturday at The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center.
The outdoor spray park was moved to a new location after the former spray park was removed in 2020 for the construction of the indoor water park and fitness center.
Deemed “RJ’s Spray Park” in honor of Ray and Joan Kroc, the new spray park features some of the old amenities and new toys, including an alligator sprinkler that makes noises when someone pushes a button on its head. Features were developed by Rain Drop Products.
The Kroc Center hosted an open house on Saturday to celebrate the grand opening of the new spray park. Dan Lawson, director of community relations and development for the Ashland Kroc Center, said this reopening is thanks to support from Bob and Jan Archer, and the Norma Foundation.
“We knew that people missed the outdoor spray park, so we’re very grateful for their support in being able to make this happen,” Lawson said.
Emma Delay brought her three daughters to the spray park on Saturday morning — Eden, 7, Rosie, 5, and Lucy, 1.
Rosie said her favorite part of the new spray park was the dolphin sprinklers.
“I can safely say my girls are having fun,” Delay said. “And there’s so many activities in the rest of the center too, so we can stay busy.”
Kate Dunlavy brought her 8-year-old daughter, Leah, and 5-year-old son, Liam, to the open house to play in the splash pad and water park.
“We had been to the old spray park a couple times,” Dunlavy said. “They’re really enjoying it and I think other kids will too.”
The spray park will be free from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday for all visitors, and Kroc Center members or passholders can access the park from 2 to 6 p.m.
Families can buy day passes to enjoy all of the Kroc Center’s amenities. Day passes are $12 for children and $15 for adults.
If adults are only watching their children in the indoor waterpark or outdoor spray park, their admission is free. Children younger than 6 need adults in the water park with them for safety.
“They can come to the indoor water park in the morning and go to the spray park in the afternoon, and even go roller skating in the evening,” Lawson said. “It’s for the whole center.”
Summer splash passes are also available for families of up to six people to enjoy the water park, spray park and fitness center for an unlimited number of visits through July and August. The passes are $100.
The former spray park used to be free throughout its operating hours, but Lawson said the park is charging admission during certain hours to pay fees, employees and support Salvation Army services.
“Membership fees, day passes, rentals and splash passes all help fund the operations so we can devote as much as we can to the social services of our food pantry and emergency aid,” he said.
The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center is located at 527 E. Liberty St. in Ashland.
