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10 + WATERLOO CHRONLICLE + Wednesday, July 18. 2 t doesn‘t take sevenâ€"yearâ€"old I'[ackery Mua much time to figâ€" ure out what he likes best at the Lions Lagoon splash pad in Waterâ€" loo Park. It‘s the giant water cannons that keep him coming back for more fun. "(I like them)} because they sqfiin people," said Zackery, who will visit the pad with his family many times this summer. Attracting 30,000 people each year, Lions Lagoon has been a popular place for kids to spend summer days since it opened in 1994 on the site of the former Lions Club pool. Zackery isn‘t the only one who enjoys playing with the water guns. ‘Katie Kropf, 21, who works at the park full time, said it‘s a favourite attraction for kids. "(The kids) can direct where the water shoots, spin them around and try to hit the other water guns," she said. Lions Lagoon hasn‘t changed much over the years, although a recent renovation included the addition of a toddler spray head with frog eyes, which sits near the entrance into the lagoonâ€"themed The ground is painted bright blue to represent water, and beige around the perimeter is the sand. "We‘re trying to create a southâ€" ern lagoon look," said Mark Dykâ€" stra, the City of Waterloo‘s director Enjoying a tropical getaway at Lions Lagoon "(I like them) because they squirt people." â€"Zackery Mua Lions Lagoon water blaster By Jennirer Ormsron Chronicle Staff _ Fourâ€"yearâ€"old Olivia Ellis cools down at Waterioo Park‘s Lions Lagoon splash pad. The lagoon, closed temporarily in response to a safety concern with the newly installed surface, reopened of environment and park services "Some of the spray heads have palm branches on them, and that‘s in reference to a lagoon and tropiâ€" cal getaway." The splash pad, which is about 700 metres squared, also has waterfalls, bamboo poles and a waterâ€"breathing dragon. As well, there‘s change rooms, shade structures and picnic areas in the lagoon. On busy days, about 500 to 600 people visit the pad, which is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from June until Labour Day. _ In fact, the pad is "packed" on warmer days, said Lions Lagoon employee Ndtalie Herzing, 21. "Not so much on the colder days though." 2007 LIFESTYLE of Runners . . . Not Just End Rolis e Carpet * Berbers * Laminate +« Ceramic * Hardwood The Area‘s LARGEST Selection But Michelle Baumtrog and her 19â€"monthâ€"old daughter didn‘t mind the cooler temperatures last Wednesday when they visited Lions Lagoon for the first time. "It‘s nice; 1 like it," she said. "I‘ll come back for sure." Lions Lagoon has lots of open area, which makes it easier for her daughter to play without getting pushed by other kids, she said. Dykstra also visits Lions Lagoon with his children, who enjoy the size and number of different feaâ€" tures there. "It can be a nice break on a hot summer‘s day," he said. Plus, a trip to the lagoon, locatâ€" ed on the east side of Waterlao Park by the Park Inn Concession, can also include dropping by Eby he lagoon, which had been , reopened on July 3. JENNIFER ORMSTON PHOTO farm zoo, flower gardens, play grounds and more. "That‘s a real bonus for our family," he said. "It‘s an enjoyable event. "On a nice warm day it can cool you down so it‘s great that way." Admission is $2 per person. Kids under 12 years of age must be accompanied by a parent, and all adults must be accompanied by a child. The lagoon, which is operated by the city, was closed temporarily at the beginning of the summer because a newly resurfaced area was too slippery. It reopened on July 3 once that problem was rectit:led‘ "We need a surface that isn‘t too slippery, and with small children using the facility, it‘s important the surface isn‘t too rough as well," Dykstra said. "We now have a surface that is safe and meets these requireâ€" ments." Herzing hasn‘t seen any safety issues there since. _ _ "With the new surface, the biggest thing would be a stubbed toe," she said. This article is part of a new Chronicle series called Things To Do in Waterloo that will run throughout the summer. If you have any suggestions for future articles, please send an email to Jennifer at jormston@waterloochronicle.ca or call 519â€"886â€"2830, ext. 203. â€" Mark Dykstra City of Waterloo‘s director of environment and park services "It can be a nice break on a hot summer‘s day."