Bogalusa Director of Parks and Recreation Landon Tims said the new splash pad at Cassidy Park is like a magnet.

“We get more parents and grandparents bringing their kids and grandkids to the park, specifically to play in the splash pad and playground,” Tims said. “And while they’re here, they get to experience the other great things the park has to offer, like the museums, animals and natural beauty.”

The splash pad opened June 1 and immediately caught on.

“There are kids who are here from 8 in the morning to 8 at night.” Tims said. “It’s been a huge hit.”

Official operating hours for the splash pad are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., daily. Tims said the splash pad will close at 6 p.m. when daylight saving time ends on Nov. 2.

Tims estimated approximately 50 kids per day use the splash pad.

“It’s sporadic times when the kids come,” Tims said. “You’ll have five in the morning, 20 at lunch and then 20 more at 5 o’clock. We’re really looking forward to seeing how the rest of the summer goes and how many more kids we can get.”

Tims said the splash pad has a number of ways to cool off participants.

“Each green stem item is a different toy that sprays water with a different pressure,” Tims said. “We have cannons, flowers, ground sprays and a butterfly that also sprays water on you.”

The splash pad was funded through a $400,000 Land and Water Conservation grant from the state of Louisiana.

Tims said safety of the children is always a concern.

“We always want kids under 12 to have adult supervision,” Tims said. “We do have plans to put cameras on the playground, splash pad and restroom building to monitor who goes in and out,” Tims said.