Wet and wild: Water features make a summertime splash at suburban spray parks

Once upon a time, when kids wanted to cool off on a hot summer's day, they slipped into their bathing suits, set up a sprinkler in the backyard and ran through the cold water, laughing and screaming.

Nowadays, that concept has been improved upon - or at least made more dramatic - with splash pads that provide the same thrill in much fancier settings.

The pads seem to be everywhere in the area. And on a hot July afternoon, they provide the perfect setting to have a laugh - and, of course, a splash.