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Children not yet old enough to start school will soon have more time to play at Edmonton’s spray parks, but the tradeoff could be more damp school kids.

Edmonton’s community and public services committee will review a report on extending hours at some city spray parks at its May 26 meeting. The report recommends trial extensions at 17 spray parks near schools that are currently switched off during the day to prevent kids from returning from recess soaked.

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Some have asked the city to extend hours at those parks to allow increased access for parents with preschool kids.

The parks, which include cannons, hoses and other water features to help kids cool off, are motion-activated to minimize water waste.

Edmonton has 67 spray parks, which operate from mid-May through the middle of September, or longer depending on the weather. Parks that are not adjacent to schools are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. During the school year, school-adjacent spray parks operate from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays.