Just moments after restrictions on outdoor recreational facilities, such as pools and splash pads were eased Monday, Reese Klitzke walked to the middle of the city’s splash pad at the Catfish Row Art Park, stepped on the button and kicked off a summer many hope allows area children a much-needed sense of normalcy.

The restrictions, which were eased beginning Monday at 8 a.m., were put in place by Gov. Tate Reeves as part of his executive orders in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those orders are set to fully expire June 1.

South Ward Alderman Alex Monsour hopes the reopening of the city’s splash pad is the beginning of a full return to outdoor and recreational activities for area children.

“It’s great to be able to reopen the splash pad for our children, for our community,” Monsour said as Reese and her brothers ran back and forth between the splash pad’s water jets. “It’s important that we allow a return to some sort of normalcy. Our children need this.”

Monsour said it is his hope and expectation that other parts of the city’s recreational facilities can begin to fully reopen soon, including the return of tournaments at Sports Force Parks on the Mississippi, the city’s Halls Ferry Park facility and others.

“I hope we can get those back soon. It only makes sense. People can properly distance out there, far easier than other places that have already been reopened,” he said. “I would expect we could resume tournaments pretty soon.”

As for the splash pad, it will be open each day from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day, the pad must be activated by someone stepping on a button at the center of the pad, beginning a 7-minute water show. After 5 p.m., until the pad closes, the water runs continuously alongside a light show.

Monsour said he encourages residents to adhere to social distancing guidelines while visiting the splash pad.

“We are trusting everyone will do their best,” Monsour said. “But, if we notice the crowd size getting out of hand, then we will look at our options.”