Shreveport’s Riverfront Spray Park Set to Reopen This Week
Some exciting news for Shreveport as get set to close out the summer. The spray park on the riverfront in downtown Shreveport is about to be back open. The big ribbon cutting is set for 10am on Tuesday morning.
There have been several delays and the planned opening for earlier this summer had to be pushed back as crews put the finishing touches on this redesign.
SPAR earlier posted this message about the park:
By summer 2025, families will once again be able to splash, play, and cool off in this fun and refreshing space. This is YOUR tax dollars at work, bringing more outdoor recreation to our community.
But we know that did not happen. Officials from SPAR tell us there have been some hiccups in getting all of the final equipment installed. But it's ready now and it is currently being tested.
Why Did the Spray Park in Shreveport Close?
The spray park in downtown Shreveport has been closed since 2018. It was damaged by Red River flooding and repair costs were too exorbitant considering future floods could cause similar damage. But the city has come up with a plan to make sure the new version of the spray park will still operate even after a possible flood.
What Will this Project Cost?
Shelly Ragle with SPAR has told KEEL News this repair work will cost about one million dollars. Bids came in last year at $1.376 million from Daren Bailey, INC of Bossier City. KEEL News learned the work started in January and it was supposed to expected to take about 4 months. But several things slowed down the progress.
New Technology for the Spray Park in Shreveport
Many would ask why we would spend nearly a million dollars on this project if it could be damaged again by flooding. But Ragle says there is new technology that will make sure future flooding along the Red River will not render this spray area inoperable again. The electrical control panels will be above ground in a place that does not flood. Previously they were underground.
Ragle is also excited about the new technology that will also be able to coordinate the spray park lights with the lights on the Texas Street Bridge.
Previously, I was banned from the fountains by former Mayor Cedric Glover. You’ll have to ask him why. But that ban has since been lifted. So you might see me splashing around down there maybe even this week.