ALPENA — Now that the new splash park in Alpena is open there are some basic rules that users need to follow to be sure the experience is safe and the park isn’t damaged.

People are urged to read the sign at the entrances of the park and follow the rules so all users can have an enjoyable experience. Alpena City Engineer Rich Sullenger said most of the rules are common sense do’s and don’ts.

He said people should not run around the park, climb or swing on the features and pay attention to others around you. Sullenger said children under the age of 10 years old should be accompanied by an adult and older kids should help to watch out for small children. He said if the rules are obeyed there should be minimal amounts of trips and falls, which can cause scraped knees and elbows. It also will help to ensure the park remains in good working order and operating the way it should.

“We don’t want people to roughhouse with each other or with the water features,” Sullenger said. “We don’t want to see anyone fall and get hurt and the features are mechanical and there is the potential for damage to them. We want people to have fun, enjoy it, but also be safe and help take care of it.”

Sullenger said it is easy to start the splash park. He said there is a activation button on a green pole that will start the park for 15 minutes. He said not all of the features will run at one time, accept for the dump bucket.

“There are three different cycles it goes through, but the main features will always be on. You can push the button more than once, but it will still only run for 15 minutes,” Sullenger said. “The smaller ones will alternate back and forth between them, depending on which cycle it’s in.”

Sullenger said people who take babies or toddlers into the park should make sure the children have swimming diapers on and never be left unattended. He said there is no food or beverages allowed in the splash park, nor glass containers or tobacco products. Lawn or beach chairs also are not allowed in the play area and neither are scooters, skateboards or bicycles. Offensive language will not be tolerated. Sullenger said plastic water bottles or baby bottles are permitted. Support animals also will be allowed.

Sullenger said the park uses tap water from the city’s water system and the temperature would be similar to that of running though a sprinkler at home. He said the water is safe should someone accidentally swallow some.

Although the park is up and running, Sullenger said the project as a whole is still not complete. He said there will be four sun shelters installed near the park and grass will need to be planted or sod laid before the orange fence around the park will be removed.

When the kids rushed into the park for the first time Friday, Sullenger said it made the work and planning for the park worthwhile and he credited Assistant Engineer Shannon Smolinski for the job she did on the project and how it turned out.

“I can’t say enough about the job she did and her efforts to ensure everything went as planned,” he said. “Any issues we had, she was always right there to make sure it was taken care of.”

Sullenger also complimented the contractors who designed and built the park, as well as the Rotary Club and others who donated time or money. He said the splash park is a great addition to the park system and he is confident it will be well used.

“This is an absolutely a wonderful asset,” he said. “I heard a lot of positive comments today about what this will bring to our community. I also saw a lot of smiling faces and I’m very pleased to have been able to plat a very small part of helping put them there.”

There is no age limit at the park and it is barrier free so anyone can access it. Sullenger said young children, seniors and those who have disabilities will be able to easily get into the park, start it and enjoy it.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached via email at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5689. Follow Steve on Twitter ss_alpenanews.