Mayor Hahn, City Leaders Announce New Aquatic Playground; ``Splash Pads'' Provide Water Fun for Panorama City Neighborhood.

Business Editors/City Desks

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 10, 2003

With San Fernando Valley temperatures soaring into the triple digits, Mayor Jim Hahn joined City Controller Laura Chick and City Council President Alex Padilla to announce the opening of a new aquatic playground at the Panorama City Recreation Center, providing local families and youth with a safe, refreshing activity during the hot summer months.

"The installation of the splash pads is a prime example of how the city is working collaboratively to implement programs that enhance the quality of life for our residents and enrich the lives of all children in Los Angeles," said Mayor Hahn.

The state-of-the-art aquatic playground, otherwise known as a "splash pad," is a new concept in water play. Built on a smooth surface with operating features all within an arm's length, the water area was developed to be accessible to children of all ages. The aquatic apparatus allows visitors to spin wheels, flip buckets and turn valves on and off to spill and spray water.

The Panorama City neighborhood splash pad is the first of two that will be developed through a partnership of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) and the Department of Recreation and Parks. LADWP funded the project's construction. Recreation and Parks will maintain and operate the facility. The second project, located at St. Andrews Park in South Los Angeles, is due to open later this summer.

"We have been able to identify cost-effective ways to improve the City's recreational facilities without further taxing city residents," said City Controller Laura Chick. "This is teamwork in action. This splash pad is an example of the power of water during the hot weather and thanks to the Department of Water and Power, our children are going to have a "cool" summer!"

City Council President Alex Padilla said the splash pads will offer much needed relief from the summer heat.

"I've lived in the Northeast San Fernando Valley my entire life and know how hot it gets here during the summertime," said City Council President Alex Padilla. "The welcome addition of the splash pads at Panorama City Recreation Center will provide our youth with a safe and refreshing activity during the summer. Don't be surprised if you see me under the water spray one afternoon."

The splash pads are more cost efficient and energy efficient than swimming pools because they are not heated and need less staffing and maintenance than a pool. In addition to being energy efficient, the facility uses recycled water that is continually being filtered and purified as it drains off the platform.

"LADWP is proud to partner with the city on initiatives at our local parks that will improve the quality of life for our communities," said LADWP General Manager David Wiggs. "Under Mayor Hahn's direction, we have worked closely with City Controller Laura Chick to invest in a number of public benefits programs that improve the parks by adding outdoor lighting at several city parks and recreational opportunities such as the splash pads."

Department of Recreation and Parks General Manager Manuel Mollinedo added, "We appreciate Mayor Hahn's emphasis on improving recreation and park facilities across the city and look forward to future infrastructure investments that will support the goal of clean and safe parks."

Panorama City Recreation Center, located at 8600 Hazeltine Ave., is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. The water playground operates from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. For additional information, please call Panorama City Recreation Center at [phone].

For information regarding Recreation and Parks Department programs or activities, please call 888-LA PARKS or visit www.laparks.org.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power was established more than 100 years ago to provide a reliable and safe water and electric supply to Los Angeles businesses and residents. For additional information, please call 1-800-DIAL-DWP, or log on to www.ladwp.com.