Water

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Heavier than Normal Flooding Reported – Street Pumping Prohibition Temporarily Waived

Huntington Supervisor Ed Smyth and Highway Superintendent Andre Sorrentino are responding hastily to Sunday night’s heavy rain storm that slammed the Long Island region.

As forecasters called for strong storms on Sunday night, Huntington Supervisor Ed Smyth began rallying his team to handle anything that could impact the Town, including downs trees, sink holes and heavier than normal flooding.  

“When the weather turns ugly, I always know I can rely on my partners in Government to come to the aide of the Town, especially Andre Sorrentino and the Highway Department”, said Ed Smyth.  “Huntington’s emergency response protocol is second to none when it comes to tackling what mother nature dishes out.” 

To assist residents with the impact of the heavier than normal rains and the flooding, Supervisor Smyth has ordered a temporary waiver for residents to discharge storm water from flooded basements into the roadway.  The Town’s Pubic Safety office will not be issuing violations for the next 48 hours, while residents deal with home flooding.

Smyth added, “under normal circumstances a discharge into our roadways would be a violation of Town Code (Ch 133-1 A, B & C).  This can cause hazards for pedestrians and traffic.  In this case, our neighbors were impacted greater than normal and we want to do whatever we can to assist them in bringing their property back to normal.”

The Highway Department took to the roads at the early onset of the storm.  After surveying the Town, they reported approximately 10 sink holes and minimal trees down.  Flooding, however, was the predominant issue, with the Town reporting heavy flooding in a few areas.

According to Highway Superintendent Andre Sorrentino, “The Town’s Highway Department is responding to the heavier flooded areas.  Our team will work until these areas are secure.  We are happy to report that most of the Town is clear and passable thanks to the overnight work of our crews.  They did a terrific job responding to this weather emergency.”  Sorrentino added, “as always, we want our residents to know we are here for them.  If you have an issue, please contact the Town’s Highway Department at 631-499-0444.”

Photo from Town of Smithtown

The Town of Smithtown saw heavy rains and flash flooding last night, enduring approximately ten inches in total, as the storm regenerated across Suffolk County throughout the night and early morning. The Town of Smithtown has compiled a detailed assessment of damage, flooding, and areas of concern in addition to providing important information regarding storm cleanup, and contact information for those in need of further assistance.

“We were fortunate in comparison to surrounding areas, much in part due to proactive measures and recent upgrades made to infrastructure, elevated roadways, and state-of-the-art engineering at Smithtown’s most vulnerable areas. I want to commend our crews working throughout the night. Public Safety, Parks, and Highway teams have been working around the clock to clear, assess and repair the damage, in the wake of the storm, which was unpredicted by meteorologists. I also want to commend our volunteer Fire Departments, FRES, our Office of Emergency Management, and Fire Marshals who were out in these dangerous conditions overnight, performing water rescues, extracting stranded drivers, responding to emergency calls and assisting our neighbors in Stony Brook,” said Smithtown Town Supervisor Ed Wehrheim.

“Public Safety even used their Drone to assist the Smithtown Fire Department boat to rescue two individuals who were stranded from a home. The level of communication, bravery and teamwork over these past 24 hours has been extraordinary. I would also like to commend our County Executive, Ed Romaine for leaping into action immediately to declare a State of Emergency for the area. Finally, I’d recommend that everyone access the Town of Smithtown Mobile App for notifications regarding road detours, areas to avoid and updates on the storm cleanup. We will not stop until flooding concerns have been addressed, the roads are clear, and our residents can safely resume daily routines,” added Supervisor Wehrheim.

Town Damage Assessment:

The headwaters of the Nissequogue have crested at Paul T. Given Park. Councilman Tom Lohmann, Superintendent Robert Murphy and our emergency response teams are currently on scene together with Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services (FRES) and our Planning Department to alleviate water conditions, in hopes of preventing the river from cresting over NYS Route 25a. The basement of the building next to the park (formerly the Oasis) has flooded up to the first floor. Smithtown’s Parks Department is currently on scene and is going to remove accumulated debris under the culdesac to alleviate rising waters. This will also allow the MTA to get into their property to inspect the train trestle. Currently, train service is suspended between Port Jefferson and Kings Park in both directions due to flooding from the Nissequogue River west of Smithtown.

Maple Avenue at Millers Pond (Wildwood Ln to Darling Ave) is closed due to overflow conditions. The Smithtown Highway Department, alongwith Deputy Superintendent Jim Duetch are currently on scene with Suffolk County Parks to mitigate flooding and ensure the culvert remains stable.  Both of these areas (Paul T Given Park & Millers Pond) are of critical importance to address as more rainfall is predicted for this afternoon.

The Smithtown Parks Department has been operating the cleanup at Town Hall, which took in close to four feet of water in the basement and is currently operating on backup power. The Parks Department building in Kings Park sustained flooding damage to the shop area and vehicles were badly flooded.

As of this morning, we’ve estimated approximately 50 town trees (in the town right of way) were either uprooted or down. Highway crews are currently working to remove these trees from the roadways.

Parks & Beaches:

Landing Country & Golf Club sustained washouts and drainage issues in addition to damage on the 9th hole of the course. Parks crews have been dispatched and are currently working on repairs.

Boaters with vessels in slips and the town mooring fields should ensure that lines are secured. There have been a few instances where boats have come loose.

The bathroom area at Whitman Hollow sustained some flooding issues. Parks Crews have already been dispatched to handle cleanup.

Callahan’s Beach only sustained a few down trees as of this morning. The incredible state of the art engineering of the rebuild had its first real test and aced with flying colors.

The elevation of Long Beach Road also handled extreme rain without incident. No flooding was reported.

LIRR Train Service: LIRR Train service is suspended from Port Jefferson to Kings Park until further notice.

ROAD CLOSURES/DETOURS: 

  • Maple Ave is closed due to road flooding from Wildwood Ln to Darling Ave. Use an alternative route.
  • North Country Road from Mills Pond road all the way up north, is closed and impassable due to flooding. Use an alternative route.
  • West Main St Smithtown from Maple Ave to Edgewood Ave Closed due to Flooding. Use an alternate Route.

Residents can stay informed about the storm and get up to the minute updates via the Town of Smithtown Mobile App, which is free to download on Google Play and the App Store.

Safety Reminders: Do not attempt to drive over a flooded road. Turn around and go another way. DID YOU KNOW? Six inches of fast moving flood water can knock you off your feet. A depth of two feet of water will float your car. Never try to walk, swim or drive through such swift water.

Keep children from playing in floodwaters or near culverts and storm drains.

Resident Safety Post Storm:

Residents should attempt to keep all brush, tree branches and storm debris clear from blocking fire hydrants and storm drains.

Public Safety and Smithtown Fire Marshals would like to remind residents using generators to take a moment to confirm that the exhaust is facing outwards and at least 20’ away from a building, to prevent CO poisoning and fires caused by incorrectly positioned generators.

Highway crews are working with PSEG to clear the roads of any remaining trees safely, and have begun hauling debris/brush today. The Highway Department led by Superintendent Robert Murphy, has cleanup crews assigned to every hamlet.

NOTE: Fallen trees can hide downed cables or entangled power lines, even if the power is out.

Power: 

As of this morning, there are less than 20 homes within the township who are without power.

To report and receive status updates on an outage Text OUT to PSEGLI (773454) or to report an outage online visitwww.psegliny.com

To register, have your account number available and text REG to PSEGLI (773454)

Downed wires should always be considered “live.” Do not approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything contacting the wire. To report a downed wire, call PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour Electric Service number: 1-800-490-0075

Stranded Vehicles: If there is an emergency, please dial 9-11 immediately. All non life-threatening calls can be directed to the Department of Public Safety by calling (631) 360-7553

Report Gas Outages or Emergencies: If you smell gas anywhere, including in your home, go outside and call National Grid 24 hour hotline at 1-800-490-0045 or dial 911 immediately.

LIRR Commuter Travel Information: For information regarding delays or travel questions, contact the LIRR 24 hour travel information center at 718-217-5477

Local Fire & Police Phone Numbers: In an emergency dial 9-1-1

  • Suffolk County Police Department: For non-emergencies, contact 631-852-COPS (2677). Dial 9-1-1 ONLY for life-threatening emergencies.
  • Smithtown Fire Rescue Communications: 631-265-1500 for fire and EMS emergencies in the Smithtown, Kings Park, and Hauppauge Fire Districts.
  • Suffolk County Fire Rescue and Emergency Services: Dial 911 for fire and EMS emergencies in the St. James, Nesconset, and Nissequogue Fire Districts.
  • Commack Fire Department: 631-499-5777 for fire emergencies in the Commack Fire District.

To Report Flooding or Road Concerns: To report flooding, drainage issues, and other storm related conditions along the roads, please contact the Highway Department at (631) 360-7500. NOTE: Flooding in basements are the

Downed Street Trees: Trees within the town’s right of way (alongside a town road) are in general the responsibility of the Highway Department. Residents with down trees on property lines can call the Department of Environment and Waterways (DEW) at (631) 360-7514 to inspect the tree and determine the best course of action. Trees that are not in the town’s right of way are the responsibility of the resident.

Elderly Neighbors & Special Needs individuals: Always check on your neighbors living with disabilities, special needs or senior citizens. Make sure they have an emergency phone, plenty of water, food and blankets. Ask if they have someone to call in the event of an emergency. If further intervention is required please contact the Senior Citizens Department at (631) 360-7616 or the Office for People with Disabilities at (631) 360-7642

Wildlife Rescue & Lost Pets:

Smithtown Animal Control Officers are ready to respond to calls for wildlife in distress or to report lost pets. Animals in distress, strays or other loose domestic or wild animals can be reported to the Smithtown Animal Shelter and Animal Control at (631) 360-7575

Suffolk 311: Suffolk County 311 is a central call center available to residents who do not know which number to call for any non-emergency. Residents can reach the 311 line Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or leave messages after hours.

Damage Self-Reporting Tool: Homes & Businesses: In collaboration with affected counties, New York State has developed an online form allowing residents to self-report damages to their homes and/or businesses. The purpose of this form is solely to collect information that may help State and local officials identify supplemental damages to develop and augment potential requests for available federal assistance programs. NOTE: Reporting damage is a voluntary activity and is not a substitute for reporting damage to your insurance agency, nor does it guarantee disaster relief assistance. (Do not use this form to report immediate, life-threatening needs. Call 911)

LINK TO FORM:  Smithtownny.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2879

The crew of 'Go Bananas,' Jason Dank and Ryan Matheson. Photo by Lynn Hallarman

By Lynn Hallarman

The reigning champion boat, Go Bananas, crewed by Jason Dank and Ryan Matheson, was soundly defeated by Doug Santo and Chris Voorhis in their seaworthy vessel, Yacht Rock, during the 13th annual Sikaflex “Quick & Dirty” Boat Build Competition held on Sunday, Aug. 11, at Harborfront Park in Port Jefferson.

After the race, the organization held a raffle drawing for a 12-foot fiddlehead double paddle canoe, custom-built by volunteers. Port Jeff resident Margaret Mansone was the big winner of the hand-built canoe raffle.

This year, six boats competed for the top spot mixed with confidence and trepidation, facing old rivals and hungry newcomers.

“We had a lot to prove,” Santo said in a post-race interview with TBR News Media.

The Long Island Seaport and Eco Center, based at the Bayles Boat Shop at Harborfront Park, hosts the race annually as part of a fundraiser to support its community-based educational activities.

The boat-building competition required teams to design and build a small boat within a five-hour time limit using only materials supplied by LISEC. Teams raced against the clock on Saturday, Aug. 10, to finish seaworthy ships in preparation for Sunday’s race.

Doug Santo and Chris Voorhis with their seaworthy vessel, ‘Yacht Rock.’ Photo by Lynn Hallarman

Prior to the race, judges Mayor Lauren Sheprow, former village trustee Rebecca Kassay, (now Democratic candidate for the state Assembly District 4,) and mother-son team Donna and Michael Antignano scored boat designs based on five criteria: uniqueness, neatness, construction, creative paint design and paddle design.

“We have learned from our past mistakes,” said Peter Charalambous, the captain of Winner II. As the 2019 champions, Charalambous and his fiancée, Sunny, have refined their building technique as they prepared for this year’s event to recapture their past glory.

Sadly, Winner II took on water and sank yards before the finish line.

Capsizing the start line, The Joey Z’s, was manned by Brian Tierney and Joe McNaughton, who “have no regrets.”

Heads held high, Mike DeMacia and Lyle Ross — crew of The Candy — gave it their all to the finish well behind the leaders.

Redeemed, Go Bananas was named the winner for best boat design, sharing top prize with Ken Callirgos and Matt Deveau, of The Wall, a paddleboard-style vessel. While some questioned whether a paddleboard qualifies as a boat, the United States Coast Guard recognizes it as such.

Go Bananas, Yacht Rock and The Wall raced in calm seas with precision and determination. In a surge of strength, Yacht Rock pulled ahead in the final seconds of a close contest for the win as the crowd’s roar reached a fevered pitch.

SCWA CEO Jeff Szabo hoists the Long Island Water Conference’s drinking water tasting contest trophy with fellow SCWA employees. Photo courtesy of SCWA

The Suffolk County Water Authority recently received the trophy for winning the Long Island Water Conference’s 36th annual Drinking Water Tasting Contest. SCWA’s water was declared the best tasting among all Suffolk County water providers in May. The trophy commemorating the win was delivered to SCWA and will now be on display all year, until it passes on to the next winner in 2025. 

Water from 14 providers from across Long Island were considered for the contest. The Bayville Water Department took home the title for Nassau County.

“The drinking water taste contest is always a fun time for us,” said SCWA Chairman Charles Lefkowitz. “It is great to see how we stack up against many of our fellow water providers, and our victory shows that our hard work is paying off. We are excited to have this trophy in hand and will be sure to display it with pride.”

More than 240 participants voted for their favorite tasting water and received exciting giveaways during the contest. The SCWA will also participate in the New York State Regional Metro Tap Water Taste Contest held in New York City to compete for entry into the statewide contest held at the Great New York State Fair.

The Suffolk County Water Authority is an independent public-benefit corporation operating under the authority of the Public Authorities Law of the State of New York. Serving approximately 1.2 million Suffolk County residents, the Authority operates without taxing power on a not-for-profit basis.

Satellite image of the phytoplankton bloom. Photo courtesy NOAA

By Aidan Johnson

From a young age, children are taught that the ocean isn’t actually blue but is simply reflecting the color of the sky. However, the ocean recently took on a turquoise color not caused by the sky but by organisms called phytoplankton in the water.

Phytoplankton are tiny, commonly single-celled photosynthetic organisms in bodies of water that are carried by tides and currents and are too weak to swim against them.

Along the South Shore, all the way from Montauk to Brooklyn and spanning about 100 miles into the Atlantic Ocean, there is an algal bloom full of a specific type of phytoplankton called coccolithophores, explained Christopher Gobler, a professor at the School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences at Stony Brook University.

According to Gobler, this particular type of phytoplankton has a shell that’s made of calcium carbonate, which is the same substance that clam shells are made of, albeit to a much larger degree.

“What can happen is that after [the coccolithophores have] grown for a while, the shell begins to dissolve and then they might start dying off,” he said in an interview. “And so the coloration seems to be from the dissolution of that shell. It looks green, but it’s really just the interaction of the calcium carbonate with the seawater and the sunlight that collectively leads to that color.”

Gobler also clarified that the coccolithophores do not pose a direct health risk to sea life, but instead “fuel the food chain.”

“And so for the present time at least … we can call it a neutral deposit,” he said.

The bloom already seems to be dissipating, according to Gobler, which means that the sky will once again take credit for the water’s blue appearance.

Children enjoy the grand opening of Sgt. Paul Tuozzolo Memorial Spray Park in Elwood. Photo by Kyle Barr

Cooling Centers Opening, Beach/Pool/Spray Park Hours Extended During Heat Wave

As a community service and in light of the warmer than average summer, the Town of Huntington will now be allowing Huntington residents to use the Manor Field Park and Elwood Spray Parks free of charge throughout the remainder of the summer.  Proof of residency is required.  Elwood and Manor Field Spray Parks will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the heat wave.  (Spray Parks are open at 10 a.m. for children with special needs).

“For some of our residents, staying cool during these frequent summer heat waves can be a challenge,” said Huntington Supervisor Ed Smyth.  “Offering the spray parks to our residents with children is the best kind of community service – convenient, safe, fun and now, free.”

Spray Park hours will return to 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, August 5.

In anticipation of the forecasted heat wave, the Town of Huntington will also put the following services and schedules in place:

Cooling centers:      –      The Dix Hills Ice Rink will be open from noon to 8 p.m.

  • The Town of Huntington Flanagan Senior Center will be open until 4 p.m. – Thursday and Friday Only!

Beaches: Crab Meadow, West Neck, Hobart, and Centerport Beaches will be open with stationed lifeguards until 8 PM.  Beach Permits required.  Residents can visit www.tohbeachpermit.com to obtain a virtual beach permit.

Dix Hills Pool: The Dix Hills Pool will also be free to residents during the heat wave –

(Thursday, August 1 – Sunday, August 4).

The following community hours will apply:

Thursday (8/1):  2 to 8 p.m.

Friday (8/2):  12:30 to 8 p.m.

Saturday (8/3) and Sunday (8/4):  11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

A conservation-related press conference held in May. From left to right: County Legislator Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey, SCWA Chairman Charles Lefkowitz, County Executive Ed Romaine and Babylon Town Supervisor Rich Schaffer. Photo courtesy SCWA

By Peter Sloniewsky

In response to the early summer heat waves, Suffolk County Water Authority has increased its efforts to promote water conservation.

The prime action taken by SCWA is in the form of an odd/even lawn watering system. In this system, customers with odd-numbered addresses may only water their lawns on odd-numbered days, and the inverse for even-numbered addresses. SCWA has also enacted a policy that forbids watering between the peak water usage hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

On average, approximately 70% of the 70 to 80 billion gallons of water pumped by SCWA each year will be used between May and October, largely due to the prevalence of in-ground sprinkler systems.

Increased strain on the system due to heat waves requires the construction of additional infrastructure unless water usage is reduced elsewhere. In this case, about two-thirds of the hundreds of public water wells are only necessary because of irrigation demands. This infrastructure would cost millions, and would be paid for by customers through increased rates.

If every household and business is to follow SCWA’s odd/even lawn watering schedule, it would effectively cut the biggest driver of water use in half, allowing the utility to keep pace with demand and preventing any need for additional infrastructure.

Encouraging customer response

Reassuringly, SCWA’s guidance has been respected by customers. In a July 17 press release, Chairman Charlie Lefkowitz said, “During hot periods of the summer, we have to pump up to 530,000 gallons of water per minute to keep up. This year we haven’t seen those levels, and we think it’s because customers are responding to our calls to save water.” He described these statistics as an “encouraging sign” for the remainder of the season.

SCWA has also made it clear that this system benefits consumers as well.

Citing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the same press release explained that most lawns only need about 1 inch of water per week to remain lush and green, whereas watering every day can lead to harmful patterns of root growth.

Jeff Szabo, chief executive officer, noted the decrease in cost to consumers, saying, “SCWA may be the smallest utility bill that most of our customers pay but the savings can add up.” Reducing demand will also keep rates low by avoiding the need for expensive additional infrastructure.

In addition to the odd/even watering system, SCWA has both enacted and improved some previously set policies for water use.

In 2020, SCWA implemented a tiered rate structure that charges high-usage customers more. Taken in accordance with an initiative by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, SCWA set the policy in an effort to reduce peak-season water use by 15%. The policy has reduced water usage since.

In recent years, SCWA has offered a program, Water Wise, as well. This program offers customer account credits for the purchase of water-saving devices such as rain barrels, EPA low-flow showerheads and solar pool covers.

However, as Lefkowitz made clear in the press release, “None of these things are a silver bullet for solving water conservation alone. … It’s going to take years to change the culture on Long Island but SCWA and other water providers in the region knowbthat this is necessary because our summers aren’t getting any cooler.”

Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai. Wikimedia Commons photo

By Peter Sloniewsky

On Thursday, June 11, Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine (R) was joined by Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico (R) and Councilwoman Jane Bonner (R-Rocky Point) to promote a new I/A water filtration system, soon to be installed at Cedar Beach.

Innovative and Alternative On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems use advanced treatment methods to remove nitrogen and other pollutants from wastewater before it is released into the environment.

As of July 2021, Suffolk County requires installment of I/A systems for most new residential construction projects. However, much of Long Island, especially Suffolk, uses septic systems instead of sewers due to the area’s historic low population density. While septic systems are cost-effective and efficient, increases in population have led to nitrogen pollution in both surface-level and underground bodies of water. This nitrogen pollution causes harmful algal blooms, which can destroy ecosystems by consuming excess oxygen in water and cause a variety of conditions in exposed humans.

The more-than 1.5 million people of Suffolk County rely on more than 380,000 cesspools and wastewater systems, including over 209,000 systems located in areas that already have environmental risks. Bonner, who represents the town’s District 2, told TBR News Media that “we have a water problem, with a direct correspondence to cesspools.”

Additionally, the sewer systems already in place on Long Island have a tendency to contribute to road runoff, with a similar effect of nitrogen pollution. When there is more water than sewer pipe systems can handle, partially treated wastewater can flow directly into nearby bodies of water, which can include waste, pesticides, oil and litter. Bonner clarified that “the topography [of the North Shore] lends itself to road runoff … I/A systems and sewers will certainly help that.”

In Suffolk County, there are two types of I/A systems which have been approved by the Department of Health Services — FujiClean and HydroAction. Both technologies have been proven to reduce total nitrogen levels far below the county standard, and to reduce those levels more than 80% from conventional septic systems (which do not typically meet the standard).

The Cedar Beach filtration system will be paid for by a $100,000 grant funded by the Water Quality Protection and Restoration Program. This program was revised and extended in late June, and was sponsored by Romaine.

Revisions to the program include the establishment of a referendum for this November’s general election ballot, which, if approved, would establish an additional sales tax of one-eighth of 1 percent to fund a new Water Quality Restoration Fund. Romaine claimed he “cannot emphasize enough the importance of this referendum” to address water contaminants, and the language of the referendum itself claims that its passage will ensure “county funding to 2060 for clean water projects, improvements in drinking water, bays and harbors” — such as the I/A system to be installed at Cedar Beach.

Bonner told TBR News Media that this new fund would be “split between I/A systems and sewers,” and Romaine described the fund as vital to fund sewer construction especially in less developed areas of the county.

Smith Point County Park Facebook

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine announced on July 16 that two County beaches are extending their hours during the current heatwave. Swimming at Smith Point Beach in Shirley and Cupsogue Beach in Westhampton Beach will remain open an additional hour, closing at 6:30 p.m. until further notice.

“Residents cannot be left high and dry in the heat wave,” said Romaine. “Increasing access to these most popular county beaches is a matter of public health and sound decision-making.” 

Romaine also emphasized the importance of safety.

“Safety is the most important part of any day near the water,” said Romaine. “Please adhere to the rules, pay attention to lifeguards and signs. Be careful.”

Romaine offered the following Safety Tips: 

  • Only swim within the buoys with a lifeguard on duty. 
  • Be conscious of riptides and remember to swim parallel to the shore to get out current before heading back to shore. 
  • Swim sober.
  • Never swim alone. 
  • Check local advisories before swimming. 

Children enjoy the Sgt. Paul Tuozzolo Memorial Spray Park in Elwood. Photo by Kyle Barr

In anticipation of the forecasted heat dome covering much of Long Island and the northeast this week, the Town of Huntington will put the following services and schedules for Tuesday, July 16 and Wednesday, July 17:

Cooling centers

  • The Dix Hills Ice Rink will be open from noon to 8 p.m.
  • The Town of Huntington Senior Center (Flanagan Center) will be open until 4 p.m.

Beaches: Crab Meadow, West Neck, Hobart, and Centerport Beaches will be open with stationed lifeguards until 8 p.m.

Pools: The Dix Hills pool will be open to Town Residents with ID from 12:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday – Friday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission will be free for residents during heat wave.

Spray Parks: Elwood and Manor Field Spray Parks will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Spray Parks open at 10 a.m. for children with special needs)