Local spray ground closed, illnesses cited
By AARON E. LOONEY
The Ascension Citizen
As of Monday, the popular spray ground at Jambalaya Park remained temporarily closed, after recent claims that visitors became ill after visiting the park.
The illness was found to be caused by cryptosporidium, a parasite believed to be contracted while the children were at the park, according to DHH officials.
The parasite may be found in drinking water and recreational water in every region of the United States and throughout the world, according to information from the CDC. It causes a condition known as Cryptosporidiosis, which has symptoms including diarrhea and vomiting.
DHH officials were on hand Friday morning to investigate the matter, Berthelot said. He added that while there was no conclusive evidence to show that the infections came from the park, all of the victims involved reported becoming ill after visits to the park.
Gonzales Mayor Johnny Berthelot said he closed the spray park Thursday on a suggestion from DHH until the matter could be rectified.
"I thought that it would be in the best interest of everyone involved if we just closed the spray park until this is resolved," Berthelot said.
The spray park, an outdoor area featuring numerous spouts in its base which spray water, was opened last year. The park itself opened in 2002.
The spray ground sits idle until a visitor enters and sets off an infrared censor, triggering water to spray, pour and erupt from various spots within its confines. It has become a popular summertime attraction for children in the area.
The city spent $360,000 last year overhauling the park, which sits near Gonzales City Hall.
The chain of events began Monday, Berthelot said, when a parent called and said her child had become ill after playing at the spray ground. Berthelot said tests run on the spray ground's water tank both Monday and Tuesday showed no problems.
"Everything looked fine," Berthelot said, "but we wanted to be sure. So we cleaned it twice."
Tuesday, city workers drained the tank and cleaned it with a solution composed of 50 percent Clorox bleach, Berthelot said. They then let the tank dry, refilled it and cleaned it using the city's regular chemicals.
"We took the initiative and tackled this problem as soon as we could," Berthelot said. "What we're doing is simply a precaution because I don't want to put anyone at any risk if there should happen to be a problem."
Berthelot said that while the spray ground is closed, the rest of the park will remain open, including the swimming pool and fountain areas.
"If the test results show there's even the slightest hint of a problem, the spray park will remain closed until DHH unlocks it themselves," Berthelot said.
