On Thursday, a dozen kids enjoyed the summer sun playing in the new water spray park at Salazar Park in southwest Selma.

That's just what the Selma Recreation and Community Services Department's employees hoped for when they held the grand opening on Monday afternoon at the park's location on Sheridan and Valley View avenues.

Replacing the wading pool, the new big sprinklers and wide open space were meant to give youth a safe place where they would want to hang out and could cool off.

The sprinklers also allow more kids to enjoy the water.

The old wading pool was off limits to kids under 4-feet because of the shallowness. The new spray park can be used by kids of all ages, including adults.

In total, the park cost the city $88,000, all of which came from general fund money under the 2006-2007 Selma city budget.

Inititally it was slated to open last summer, but due to construction delays and seasonal changes, the park didn't become fully operational until a few weeks ago, according to Mikal Kirchner, director of recreation and community services for the city.

Kirchner added that the park is only operational for a few months out of the year, from Memorial Day weekend up until Labor Day weekend.

As for how it operates, Kirchner said a sensor mechanism is the key component.

"You walk up and put your foot on the sensor and it turns on (water) for eight minutes...after eight minutes it turns itself off, and only goes on if a person puts (their) foot on a sensor," he said.

Youth Coordinator Rubie Torres has been working at the park for the last year and a half.

Surrounded by the kids who crowded her as soon as she walked up, she couldn't help but express her excitement for the new park.

"It helps the kids have something to do, to play together, to meet each other. I'm having fun with them," Torres said, laughing as she responded to a question to what her favorite part of the job was.

"Going home... just kidding, that's not true!"

The water spray park is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily at Salazar Park until Labor Day weekend.

Ira Sather-Olson contributed to this report.