By Lloyd Vinson

News Intern

WOODLAND – It’s an area enjoyed by the young, and the young at heart.

Many Woodland residents have been using the Playground Park here in this Northampton County town, not only to cool off on a hot summer day, but to participate in basketball, soccer, baseball, and even to spread out a blanket an enjoy a family picnic.

But it’s the cooling water sprinklers that keep people coming back for more.

A timer, positioned just outside the set of sprinklers, can be set for five minutes. The water feature in its entirety is programmed to remain active daily from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.

A Woodland native who brought his grandchildren to the park, expressed his interest by saying, “It’s a good place for kids to come out to play and cool off. I just found out about it and I wish I had known before. Hopefully this story gives the park more attention.”

The park, built in the mid 1990’s by way of grant money and individual funding, is located behind the old Woodland Olney School on West Main Street. It’s open to the public, not just Woodland residents. However, those wishing to reserve the park for a special event are required to stop by the Woodland Town Hall, fill out a form and pay a $50 deposit. That deposit, required only for reservations, is refundable as long as all rules are followed.

Woodland officials said there are a plethora of reservations around this time of year due to birthday parties, family reunions, etc.

As already mentioned, the park is open from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m., but it appears there is activity after those hours. That has prompted Woodland officials to think along the lines of ensuring that the hours of operation are enforced.

“People are welcomed to enjoy the park during the posted hours of operation, but there are some that occasionally come out to the park at unreasonable times of night and it’s no telling what they’re doing,” said Woodland Town Clerk Kim Bryant. “We’re in the process of placing signs there that will restrict people from coming to the park past a certain hour.”

She followed by emphasizing how grateful she was for the park.

“There’s not a lot around here. It’s just something for people to do and it feels good to be a part of something fun to get involved in,” Bryant said.