Shreveport’s Downtown Spray Park Set to Reopen in Spring 2025

SHREVEPORT, LA – Shreveport residents will soon have a new place to cool off in downtown this summer. Now might not be a good time to talk about cooling off, but in just a few months we will be looking for places for a little relief from the heat.

The spray park on the riverfront is expected to reopen this summer. Crews have started the work to make the repairs to the splash and play area across the Clyde Fant Parkway from the Sci-Port Discovery Center.

SPAR posted this message about the park:

By summer 2025, families will once again be able to splash, play, and cool off in this fun and refreshing space. This is YOUR tax dollars at work, bringing more outdoor recreation to our community.

Why Did the Spray Park in Shreveport Close?

The spray park in downtown Shreveport has been closed since 2018. It was damaged by Red River flooding and repair costs were too exorbitant considering future floods could cause similar damage. But the city has come up with a plan to make sure the new version of the spray park will still operate even after a possible flood.

What's the projected budget for making the repairs?

Shelly Ragle with SPAR has told KEEL News this repair work will cost about one million dollars. Bids came in last year at $1.376 million from Daren Bailey, INC of Bossier City.

KEEL News has learned the work started in January and it's expected to take 120 days. That means the spray park is expected to be back open by late spring.

New Technology for the Spray Park in Shreveport

Many would ask why we would spend nearly a million dollars on this project if it could be damaged again by flooding. But Ragle says there is new technology that will make sure future flooding along the Red River will not render this spray area inoperable again. The electrical control panels will be above ground in a place that does not flood. Previously they were underground.

Ragle is also excited about the new technology that will also be able to coordinate the spray park lights with the lights on the Texas Street Bridge.

Previously, I was banned from the fountains by former Mayor Cedric Glover. You’ll have to ask him why. But that ban has since been lifted. So you might see me splashing around down there this summer. I love the water.