By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent

A splash or spray pad, a recreation area, could be a future feature of Nephi's Pioneer Park [Nephi City Park].
Nephi City Council members voted to authorize a Nephi City application for grant funding under the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a program administered by the Utah Division of Parks and Recreation in partnership with the National Parks Service.
"Nephi's application will be for the construction of a 'splash pad' as an addition to the current outdoor swimming pool located at Pioneer Park [Nephi City Park]," said Mark Jones, mayor.
He said the city council sees the need of continually working to enhance the recreation opportunities available in the city.
The applications are due on October 15.
The grant program can provide assistance for the acquisition of real property for public outdoor recreation use or for the construction of outdoor recreation facilities on property owned by the applicant, he said.
"Grants require at least a 50 percent state or local match," said Jones.
The application is being submitted as an official action of the governing body.
"The city has the resources to finance its share of the project cost," said Jones. "The city will bear the cost of operation and maintenance of the completed project."
The water feature would spray water so that users can play in it and would be located just south of the swimming pool.
"It will be connected to the pool area and will enhance and give viability to the pool itself," said Jones. "It will give life and continued feasibility to the pool."
Several drawings of the proposed structure show a spray area, something like the one available at the Gallivan Center in Salt Lake City. However, there are other features as well depending on the final design which also depends on receipt of the funding.
In such features water typically emanates from a point on or near the ground. A spray pool sometimes has a shallow "splash pool" a few inches deep.
The area beneath a spray pool typically has drain openings so that water does not accumulate to any depth so that it is safe for young children.
The water emanating from the spray nozzles is continually drawn from a fresh water supply.
Non-slip surfaces are usually used to keep users from sliding and falling.
"Construction will require modification of existing structures," said Jones.
"The fence will be removed and the splash pad will be added to the south side of the pool so that it will be part of the whole facility," said Greg Rowley, council member.
As the community continues to grow, so does its recreation needs, said Jones.