A little fountain goes a long way in this heat

Michael Grady, Tribune

July 25, 2008 - 4:14PM

Kids cool off by playing in the Leapin' Lagoon while visiting the Phoenix Zoo.

Tim Hacker, Tribune

JUST LIKE RAIN: Elli Roberts, 8, left, of Chandler, and Emily Oesch, 8, of Scottsdale, cool off by playing in the Leapin’ Lagoon while visiting the Phoenix Zoo.

Tim Hacker, Tribune

July at the Phoenix Zoo: The world's cutest, cuddliest animals are up and running. But the Leapin' Lagoon, and its random jets of cool water, are the big draw for children this morning.

"I think, at this point, they enjoy this more than the actual zoo," Andrew Nichols says. He and his wife, Rhonda, take a bench in the shade and enjoy the show as 6-year-old Emma and 3-year-old Kiera bounce and squeak between the geysers. Thirteen-month-old Vivian is more deliberate, wobbling carefully between the columns of spray to study the source of these curious eruptions.

"This is our first stop (at the zoo) today, and we'll stay here ... as long as they want to," Andrew says. He just shakes his head and chuckles when asked how long that might be.

We can overthink summer entertainment sometimes. Ideally, we'd all be in San Diego, catching cool Pacific breezes with our toes in the sand. Or up in Flagstaff, where kinder temperatures and pine-scented breezes drift through the trees. If you're here for the summer, it's because you have to be. And the best way to cope is to reconnect with simple summertime pleasures, like running through the sprinklers.

The 6-year-old girl at Kierland Commons does not like their splash fountain. The dancing waters, framed in a shaded red brick amphitheater, make a pretty centerpiece to the Scottsdale Road shopping center. "Kids love it," marketing director Alison Goodman says. "Come spring, there are families out here all the time." But the little girl just shakes her head when asked if she likes it. Standing squarely in the middle of the pools - while her little brother plows through the jets, screaming - she is back to "not like it" for about the 12th time.

Splash zones were invented by someone who recognized the inherent cruelty of mall fountains: The waters dance - to lights and music sometimes - but the walls on every side tell you: you're not welcome to join them. Splash zones began appearing at theme attractions about a decade ago. Now they're a common feature at public parks and shopping centers. (You can find the most popular local ones listed here.) They won't change your life. But if you're out and about, have kids or you're just hot, a few passes can take the edge off.

In an Arizona summer, every little bit helps.

East Valley splash zones

CHANDLER/AHWATUKEE FOOTHILLS

Chuparosa Park

Desert Breeze Park

Espee Park

Pecos Park

GILBERT

SanTan Village

MESA

Mesa Riverview

SCOTTSDALE/PHOENIX