North Aurora park may get 'sprayground'
A sprayground for children to run through refreshing mists and showers could become an amenity of a revamped North Aurora riverfront if a local group has its way.
The North Aurora River District Alliance presented preliminary plans to put in the play feature, also called a spray pad, to the village board this week. The group wanted to get the board's opinion on the matter before proceeding with design and fundraising. It estimates a sprayground could cost $100,000.
The alliance would like to put the sprayground on the east side of the Fox River, north of State Street, behind the village hall. Trustees suggested that Island Park, south of State, as a better place since it has more parking. NOARDA representatives said they don't like that location because it floods more often.
Trustees generally favored the idea, noting it would attract families to the riverfront, and hopefully to downtown North Aurora. The alliance is tasked with improving the riverfront and tying it in to the business district along Route 31.
Trustees did, however, wonder where NOARDA will get water to run the thing. The initial design calls for it to be hooked into a water line, but village staff pointed out there are no mains nearby and the closest service line is at the village hall. That line isn't large enough to also accommodate the sprayground - "or you wouldn't be able to flush the toilets here," water Superintendent Paul Young said.
The sprayground could also be run off a recirculating reservoir system, but that would require chlorinating the water, which then means the sprayground would have to be inspected and licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Trustees and Village President Dale Berman made it clear recirculation is what they prefer, to conserve water. Either system would run only when a user pushes a button.
"It has to be recycling," Berman said.
"... Because during a drought, it (a noncirculating version) would be one of the first things shut off," said Trustee Chris Faber.