During these "Dog Days" of summer it is important to keep yourself cool and hydrated. With temperatures near 100 degrees and a heat index of 110, it sure can be hard to do. One way to beat the heat is by going to the park. Yes, I said going to the park. 
If you missed it, today was one of three planned mobile "Spray and Play Areas" organized by the Valparaiso Department of Parks and Recreation and the Valparaiso Fire Department.
Don't worry, you have two more chances to play. On Thursday, July 21 it will be at ValPlayso located at 1500 Roosevelt Rd just off of Glendale Blvd. from 1-2:30 p.m. The third day, Friday, July 22, has been changed to Kirchhoff Park, located at 400 Roosevelt Rd., also from 1-2:30 p.m. For more information contact the Parks Dept. at 462-5144 or click here for more info.
Attending the mobile "Spray and Play Area" from the Parks Department was Christy Graf. Graf said about the day, "The city wanted to come up with a way to cool people off and have fun." I think the City of Valparaiso succeeded; children of all ages came out to play in the water with some parents getting in on the act too.
Valpo Fire Department Firefighter and Paramedic Morgan Hein said "The kids are having an absolute blast!" Kevin Koepl, another Firefighter and Paramedic, also added, "It's a good thing considering the heat, you can get outside and cool off so you don't have to be cooped up inside."
Parents were enjoying watching their kids run through the water and even a make-shift slip and slide in the mud. One little one, Collin Overlay, approx 3 yrs old, was having so much fun, he was told to stay outside the cones, so he decided to move one of the cones that was set up to prevent the children from tripping on the nozzle laid out by the Fire Department. With a laugh and a quick "Hey Hey Hey!" from Firefighter Hein, the cone was put back.
One mother, Lisa Petre brought her son, David Taylor, down to Tower Park to play and said "Thank God for this because he has been cooped up in the house."
Best friends Gabby Baker and Abby Miller came to Tower Park today for some "Spray and Play" and simply said "we are having fun."
So bring your kids down to the park to cool off, and play in the water for some summer-time fun!