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Parkersburg splash pad open again

State inspection conducted Friday

A lifeguard, left, watches as a child splashes into the exit path of the repaired tube slide Friday at the Parkersburg City Park splash pad. The facility reopened Friday afternoon following an inspection by the West Virginia Division of Labor. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

PARKERSBURG — The splash pad at City Park reopened Friday afternoon after passing a state inspection.

An inspector from the West Virginia Division of Labor gave the approval and the facility opened around 1:30 p.m., Parkersburg Mayor Tom Joyce said. The pad was soon in use by dozens of children.

“The kids love this,” said Parkersburg resident C.J. McClung, who brought three of his children to the facility Friday. “They adore the splash park. I hear about it every day.”

The $1.3 million splash pad had been closed since the afternoon of July 3, after a Division of Labor inspector issued a temporary cessation order citing safety concerns about the tube slide, where at least two children had been injured in the two weeks prior. A spokesman for the division initially said the splash pad was not properly registered, but that was incorrect.

The tube slide was closed and repaired after a 3-year-old boy sustained a gash to his head that required six staples. After another child was injured, the slide was closed again before the state’s order was issued, shutting down the entire splash pad.

Children play on the reopened splash pad at Parkersburg City Park Friday, following an inspection by the West Virginia Division of Labor. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

The new fix was performed Thursday and Friday by representatives of Minnesota-based Aquatix, which manufactured the equipment. It involved eliminating a ridge between the slide and the exit path, extending the exit path and filling it with water. Longer mats were also installed on each of the slides.

“We are not aware of any similar issues with this type of slide,” a company spokeswoman said Friday via email. “We have full confidence in our products.”

Parents with children at the splash pad Friday afternoon said they were aware of the issue that caused it to be closed but felt like it had been addressed.

“We’re happy it’s back open,” Parkersburg resident Jemetta Cornelison said as her 7-year-old son, Olmec, played on the pad. “We would come every day if I had the time.”

The City Park pool remained open while the splash pad was closed. Admission to it, the Southwood Park pool and the waterslide at Southwood was free while the splash pad was closed during that time.

Starting today, admission prices will return to normal. Joyce said it’s hoped that the Southwood pool will reopen today after being closed Thursday and Friday due to a crack in the tank that regulates chlorine content. Whether that happens depends on if new chlorine is delivered in time, he said.

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.

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