In 2010, Morden Park saw the renovation of the wading pool area, transformed into a refreshing and colourful Spray Park. As the community has grown, wastewater management is something the community has been aware of and has looked for efficiencies to alleviate the strain on the system. Over the years, Morden's Parks and Urban Forestry has reused some of the water from the Spray Park to water trees and flowers in the community, but not all the approximately 20-40 thousand gallons a day.
On Monday, the Morden Spray Park received a $20, 000 splash of funding from the Morden Community Thrift Store.
Morden's outgoing Director of Community Services Clare Agnew explained why the city has taken a $290, 000 plunge to add a recirculation system to the Spray Park.
"What this water recirculation system will do is, not only save us the amount of water that we're using, like help us in a drought situation, but also that the water that isn't used by parks has been going into our sewer system. So, as it's reaching its capacity, what this system will do is ensure we can use a spray park in a drought situation, and also that we're saving our sewer system. It's really just environmental sustainability, as far as Morden's water system goes."
She added the new system is expected to reduce the water required to 2 thousand gallons daily.
The deadline for the project completion is unknown at this time, according to Agnew.
"The equipment itself has been ordered, so, there's a delivery time on that. They have done some work there to prepare for the installation of the equipment once it arrives, so it will happen as it's able. It will be going this summer and once that system is complete is when we'd be able to turn on the spray park."
The Spray Park will remain closed to keep the pressure off the sewer system and will reopen once the project is completed this summer. Click here for more information on the City of Morden website.