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Windsor Heights narrows splash‑pad hours under stage‑two water alert
Summary
Under a stage‑two voluntary water‑use reduction, staff proposed and council approved imposing reduced splash‑pad hours (proposed stage‑two: noon–7 p.m.) starting Wednesday; council also asked public works to review operational details and communications for YMCA programming and peak times.
Windsor Heights City Council on Monday approved staff’s recommendation to reduce splash‑pad operating hours as part of a staged response to a stage‑two voluntary water‑use reduction issued by Central Iowa Waterworks.
City staff explained a four‑stage plan that scales splash‑pad hours as water‑use restrictions intensify. For stage two — where the city is currently positioned — staff proposed moving splash‑pad hours to noon–7 p.m.; stage one would shift hours to 11 a.m.–8 p.m., stage three to 2 p.m.–6 p.m., and stage four (rationing) would close the splash pad except for special events. Staff noted the city’s splash pads run on fresh (non‑recycled) water and many neighboring cities are making similar hour adjustments.
Adam, a city staff member, said hours and signage will be listed on the city website and posted at park sites; the city will also use Facebook and a news flash on the city website for public notice. “We’ll look at something on site,” Adam said when council members asked about on‑site signage to reduce public confusion.
Council members discussed tradeoffs between conservation and public access, the YMCA’s scheduled use of the facility, and parent expectations for peak times. One council member suggested later hours reduce peak day use, while another argued for shorter, earlier hours to save water and be consistent with the city’s environmental goals.
Because the YMCA uses the splash pad for programming (scheduled mornings), staff said the city could reserve off‑peak windows for programming or adjust the YMCA’s dedicated hours within the revised operational window. Council also discussed posting “peak times” on the website to let parents plan visits around YMCA sessions.
Council signaled support to impose the staff‑recommended hours starting Wednesday unless the public works committee brings back a different recommendation. The public works committee was identified as the place to develop a formal operational recommendation if council wants further refinement.
The policy change is procedural (hours and signage) and does not involve new fees or capital expenditures; implementation will require on‑site signage and updated digital communications.
