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(Des Moines, IA) -- The Des Moines Parks and Rec Department is revising its spraygrounds hours following a public outcry.
The city announced last week it would reduce the sprayground hours at 20 local parks to help conserve water.
The city's initial decision came a day after Central Iowa Waterworks called on government, businesses and residents voluntarily reduce their outdoor water usage because of high nitrate levels in the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers.
The announcement also coincided with the start of summer vacation for many school age children.
Parents and caregivers of young children complained. Now, the city has created a new schedule that calls for the spraygrounds open from 9 am until 5pm at ten parks, while the others are open noon until 8 pm.
The new hours hours and parks are below:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Locations
Bates Park
Chesterfield Park
Good Park
Greenwood Park
MacRae Park
McHenry Park
Sargent Park
Sayers Park
Sheridan Park
Woodlawn Park
12:00 PM – 8:00 PM Locations
Burke Park
Columbus Park
Drake Park
E.K. Davis Park
Fairmont Park
Grandview Park
Gray’s Lake Park
Stone Park
Tower Park
Western Gateway Park
A map of these sprayground hours and park information can be found at DSM.city/Aquatics.