Council weighs limiting Mount View Park splash pad hours as drought persists

City Manager Barry Kerber and staff brought the Mount View Park splash pad to the council’s attention on May 5 amid statewide drought concerns. Kerber said the feature is aging and does not recirculate water; staff noted the pad has used "over 13,000,000 gallons of water" in recent seasons and has cost the city more than $40,000 to operate.

Council members discussed options including closing the splash pad for the season, limiting hours or operating only on weekends. Staff said the system is currently a one‑time‑use system that drains to the stormwater/sanitary collection system rather than recapturing water on site. Staff also noted that a recirculation retrofit would be a multi‑year, capital project with substantial upfront cost; one speaker estimated a comparable recirculation system as previously installed in the region cost in the mid‑millions.

After discussion of equity (families in nearby apartments rely on the free amenity), optics during drought, and potential grant opportunities for conservation upgrades, council members expressed support for a restricted, trial approach. Council directed staff to run the splash pad on weekends and to limit hours (the council discussed an 8 a.m.–8 p.m. window as an example), begin that schedule when the facility typically starts for the season (after Memorial Day), and report back with usage data and calls/complaints after about a month.

Staff said they will advertise the limited schedule and the drought rationale in city communications. Council members also asked staff to consider long‑term options, including potentially setting aside capital funds or pursuing grants if a recirculation retrofit is desirable when the pad reaches end of life.