HARRISONBURG VA (Rocktown Now) — Summer has arrived in Harrisonburg, and the Ralph Sampson Park Spraygrounds are ready to help the community beat the heat. 

The sprayground, at 6,000 square feet in size, with 36 different spray features and interactive elements, opened Tuesday, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this morning. 

Brian Mancini, the Director of Harrisonburg Parks and Recreation, says, “The Northeast neighborhood has been wanting a water feature in the Northeast neighborhood for a long time. So, you know, being able to put this here for them, being able to make this corner just a nice park, I think it makes me feel so proud to be a part of the parks department.” 

There is also a dry area included for activities not involving water for kids to enjoy too.

Harrisonburg Mayor Deana Reed speaks at the opening of the spraygrounds.

Mancini also discusses how this Sprayground makes this project especially unique.

“One of the cool features of it, is that it’s the second largest blue concrete floor in the United States,” Mancini said. “So that, coupled with the features of the spray grounds are made into zones, which are already working without us having to say anything.”

He described how there is smaller areas with less water-pressure for the toddlers to play and areas for those who are older as well.

This project also includes shelters and seating areas, restrooms, and a green space for picnics and other activities.