JACKSON — Municipal officials have taken the next step in the planned construction of a public water spray park at the Jackson Justice Complex.
At a recent meeting, the Township Council unanimously approved a motion to prepare bid specifications and advertise for bids for a 2,700-square-foot spray park.
Officials said they hope the project, which was approved by the council last year, will be ready for use by this summer.
In 2014, Jackson officials received word from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program that nearly $150,000 in federal grant money had been awarded to the project.
Drawings for the new municipal amenity show a sports theme for the water spray park with areas that resemble a baseball diamond and a soccer field. A final design is pending approval by the council.
Jackson Senior Center Program Administrator Sheri Silversmith, who is the township’s CDBG representative, said the spray park will be accessible for residents who have a disability and will be constructed next to the I Can playground in the Justice Complex on West Veterans Highway.
The spray park will have a flat surface and proper drainage to keep water from pooling. The facility will not be monitored by a lifeguard and water will only run when an individual enters the spray park and his presence is detected by motion activated bollards, according to municipal officials.
The spray park will be closed during the fall and winter. Officials said the idea for the amenity is to appeal to as many age groups as possible.