Jackson County splash pads popular amid triple-digit heat index

 

 

Regina "Gigi" Portis, 5 poses for the camera at the Pascagoula Beach Park Splash Pad

PASCAGOULA, Mississippi -- As summer vacation winds down, children of all ages headed to Jackson County parks today to enjoy the splash pads and beat the heat.
With the heat index being in the triple digits, children cooled off at the splash pads at Pascagoula's Beach Park and Ocean Springs' Clay Boyd Park and Fort Maurepas Park.
Parents, babysitters and daycare workers look forward to bringing their children to the splash pads on a weekly basis to watch as they frolic through the water, which is often the highlight of their day.
"I love the turtle the most," said 4-year-old Stephanie Egan as she sat on top of a turtle sprinkler at Clay Boyd's splash pad, the biggest of the three.
Marin Bishop, of Pascagoula, frequently takes her grandchildren to Beach Park when they visit.
"My grandkids live in Long Beach so they come visit me and ask, 'Are we going to the splash pad today?'"
Bishop's grandchildren, Andrew and Ella, prefer Beach Park's splash pad over the splash pad in Long Beach.
Bethel Christian Academy in Pascagoula makes a trip to Beach Park every Monday, while the YMCA in Ocean Springs visits Fort Maurepas splash pad once a week.
"We always come out here and Clay Boyd Park," Danielle Ellers said. "It gives them a chance to cool off and have fun."
"We make a trip every Monday," said Miranda Kuykenball, of BCA. "We stay for about an hour and a half and they love it."
Kuykenball monitored the children Monday afternoon until it began pouring rain. The children -- already drenched in water -- were thrilled by the showers.