City takes action after concerns of disease at Colorado Springs splash pad
City officials have taken precautions after KRDO reported a woman’s concerns that her daughter had contracted Hand, Foot and Mouth disease at the John Venezia Community Park splash pads off of Briargate Parkway.
“We’re really sensitive to it. This is a real bummer, we certainly don’t want children contracting anything from any of our play equipment,” said Kurt Schroeder, Manager of park maintenance and operation. Kurt says they now spray a once weekly application of Purell Professional Surface Disinfectant on the splash pads and the playground nextdoor.
We reached out to El Paso County Public Health to see how effective this response could be. Health officials said they couldn’t give us a clear answer whether the Purell would work if the disease was indeed present.
There are currently no regulations in the city or the state for splash pads. However, the city of Colorado Springs said the water is tested every morning. They test for free chlorine, total chlorine, Ph and alkalinity with adjustments made if necessary.
The city also said the system is back washed twice a day, and after the initial morning water test, the water is tested two more times during the day.
According to the CDC, Hands, Foot, and Mouth Disease is common among children. It causes skin rashes and mouth ulcers. The virus can be transmitted through air or contact, or after swallowing infected water.
