Carmel Clay Parks and Recreation is getting ready for its summer season with lots of new classes, events and ideas. One of the newest ideas to come about? Sensors that can tell you how busy the Water Park is before you even get in your car.
It’s just another “out of the box” idea from Parks Director Mark Westermeier and his staff. Just last year, they introduced new technology in workout equipment to generate electricity. When someone uses the elliptical, ReRev technology helps the parks department conserve energy and actually reduce its expenses.
Westermeier said the pool sensor technology is still in the works, but the staff is very excited.
“We have sensors so we’ll know at all points in time exactly how many people are in the Water Park, so our goal is to be able to let people know whether it’s busy or whether it’s light turnout so they can make a decision before they leave home of, ‘Is it going to be really crowded with long lines or is it pretty average attendance?’ And we’ll have those pretty much every hour of the day,” he said. “The plan is that they can go to a website and see that. We’re working on it.”
But that’s not all that’s coming soon. This summer, families can camp out in West Park on June 5 and June 6 from 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. Cost is $10 per person and pre-registration is required by June 3.
“We’re actually showcasing some enrichment, health and wellness and incorporated that within the program,” he said. “But besides just camping in a tent, people can go fishing and get instruction on how to shoot a bow and arrow and there are fitness activities and cook s’mores under the stars.”
In addition, Carmel Clay Parks will continue its summer movies outdoors in West Park. This year, people can watch “Despicable Me 2” on June 5 at 9 p.m. (running time 98 minutes), “Space Jam” on July 10 at 9:30 p.m. (running time 87 minutes) and “The Hunger Games” on August 7 at 9 p.m. (running time 142 minutes). All movies are free.
