Aquatic playground coming to Lynchburg

The city is preparing to start work on a splashy new park project that will be the first of its kind in Lynchburg.

Construction is expected to begin this summer on the community’s first sprayground — a type of aquatic playground that takes the old summer pastime of running through the sprinklers to new levels.

The project, which is being carried out in partnership with the Junior League of Lynchburg, will be built in Riverside Park.

Officials hope it will be complete in late August or early September. A groundbreaking ceremony has been scheduled for tonight.

It was the Junior League of Lynchburg that first suggested a local sprayground some three years ago. Emily Davidson, the league’s point woman on the project, said the idea came about after the group joined a regional initiative aimed at improving children’s health.

“We thought this would be a great way to get kids out and about, to get them exercising outside and away from the TV,” she said.

She added the league was “thrilled” to see that proposal becoming a reality now.

The junior league is contributing $125,000 to the sprayground’s construction, a donation that will be formally presented to the city during tonight’s ceremony.

Riverside Park, which had a new master plan put in place last year, has been the subject of extensive community involvement.

Parks & Recreation Director Kay Frazier said the 47-acre park off Rivermont Avenue has recently taken in more than $1 million in donations and grants from various agencies and civic groups.

The city is encouraging that help as it prepares to embark on phase one of the park’s new master plan, which includes the sprayground, a protective shed for the old train in the park and improvements to the playground facilities.

In addition to the junior league donation, the city currently has a $750,000 state grant to preserve the train and $175,000 in local funding for general park improvements. It is not clear how much funding park officials can expect in the future.

Riverside Park is highly scenic and has several historical exhibits in addition to the usual playground amenities, but it’s generally considered to be underutilized.

Officials hope that adding new amenities, updating equipment and posting signs that make the sprawling park easier to navigate will all encourage more activity.

“We want people to be in this park. We want them to enjoy it and bring their kids there and have a great time,” Frazier said.

The sprayground will be built near the park’s basketball courts as part of a larger “play core” area envisioned in the master plan.

The design has not yet been finalized, but conceptual drawings under consideration show a colorful center structure that rains water down from multiple points in jets and sheets. Water would also shoot up from the ground at several points.

Davidson praised Frazier for her dedication to improving Riverside Park, calling her an invaluable ally to the junior league in its effort to advance the sprayground.

“She’s been incredible,” Davidson said. “This wouldn’t be happening if it weren’t for her. She really went all in for us.”

The groundbreaking ceremony for the sprayground will begin at 6:30 tonight in the park. The main entrance to the park is located on Rivermont Avenue, next to the Virginia School of the Arts. Signs will be posted directing attendees to the event site.