With triple-digit temperatures forecast for Saturday and Turlock's public pools not yet open for the year, another city-owned amenity offers a fun way for kids to cool down.
Turlock operates two free, public water parks, each featuring feature a number of water attractions which spray or splash fresh water as children frolic.
According to Weather Underground, the temperature could hit 106 degrees Fahrenheit on Saturday.
The city's first water park, located in Broadway Park, offers a small array of sprayers shaped like animals, water spouts, and a textured surface to keep kids from slipping.
In 2010 Turlock added a second, larger water park in Columbia Park. That park features even more wild water features.
Each park offers myriad things to do for those who aren't in the mood for splishing and splashing.
Parents can make a day of it with a picnic, or barbecue with available grills. Playgrounds offer another way to play.
And for the sports enthusiasts, each park has basketball courts, with Columbia Park adding horseshoe pits, soccer courts, and a still-closed swimming pool.
Broadway Park is located at 501 N. Broadway. Columbia Park is located at 595 High St.
Both water parks are open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, April 1 through Sep. 30. Admission is free.
Turlock's swimming pools will soon open for public swimming, but not in time for this weekend's heat wave. Turlock's three pools are set to open on the weekend of June 15.
The Columbia Park pool will be open for recreational swimming from 12:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and from 12 noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sundays. The Turlock High School and Pitman High School pools will be open for recreational swimming from 12:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Living in the Valley we suffer severe heat and I love Columbia park’s water facilities for the kids and but it’s on the opposite side of town; there is also a bit of a homeless issue at that park with people sleeping there. I really wish the City would do a water park on the opposite side of town; The open grassy park area that is across from Turlock Jr. High and attached to the BMX park for kids doesn’t get much use at all except during soccer season… I think there’s a lot of potential there!