GUILFORD COUNTY—Leaders cut the ribbon to the new aquatic center Friday at Hagan-Stone Park.
The new 21-ft. water slide at the facility was packed with kids young and old.
"I was the first big kid on the slide. My kids are going to be so jealous. But sitting here in the summer watching them, I'm probably not going to get a chance to do the slide,” said Stacy King, Pleasant Garden resident.
The park's new aquatic center includes special features to make it more accessible to everyone...like an elevating chair.
"This pool has all types of features to meet that need. From access to the property, access into the pool, and the lifeguards are well trained to deal with those types of issues to make sure they're safe," said Alan Perdue, Guilford County Commissioner.
King said that it also helps to bridge the gap between handicapped kids and normal kids.
“When I say 'normal,' I mean kids with normal limits," she said.
King has bilateral cornea transplants. One of her two children is also visually impaired, which has made it difficult to find an activity both can do.
"They can come and play together and there are no barriers. They can just enjoy being kids,” said King.
Officials expect the new feature could inspire similar development in other parks.
"This is a huge attraction, and I got a feeling that once people start finding out about this and getting more and more familiar with it they're going to start requesting them at our other facilities as well,” said Thomas Marshburn, with Guilford County Parks.
It is a promising possibility for all families, but especially those like King's.
"Growing up, I wanted to play. I wanted to play with everybody and never got to, and now these kids can. It's exciting and they see that other people have the desire to better their childhood,” said King.
Guilford County spent just shy of $2 million renovating the pool over the past year—part of the county's capital investment plan. Aquatic center admission is $5 for adults and $4 for children and seniors.