Riverstone Swimming Centre

The new splash pad at Riverstone Swimming Centre brings a fresh burst of colour, movement, and meaning to the community. More than a place to cool off, it is a vibrant destination where aquatic play, cultural storytelling, and local connection come together. 

Leveraging funding through the Western Sydney Infrastructure Grants Program, Blacktown City Council enlisted Waterplay to help bring the project to life. Blacktown City Council set out to create a splash pad that would do more than add seasonal fun. The goal was to build a welcoming, high-use community destination where families could gather, children could play freely, and local identity could be celebrated in a way that felt authentic to Riverstone. 

Across the splash pad, Waterplay features invite kids to run, spray, spin, dodge, and discover. Splash Blasters, Spritz Stick, and Spinny Squirt create hands-on moments that put children in the middle of the action, while larger features like the Sling Soaker, Sneaky Soaker 5, and Spin Splasher deliver the big splashes, surprise sprays, and can’t-stop-laughing moments that keep families coming back. A Power Post activator optimizes water use and helps maximize play value by keeping the splash pad off when it is not in use, while giving kids the fun of pushing the button to activate the water when they are ready to play. 

A defining part of the project is its connection to Aboriginal culture. The splash pad incorporates Aboriginal artwork by Leanne Watson, a respected Darug artist, with motifs inspired by land, culture, and local stories woven into the colourful splash pad surfacing. Created in collaboration with the Darug Custodian Aboriginal Corporation, the artwork brings authentic storytelling into the heart of the experience. 

This is placemaking with purpose. The artwork is not an added detail at the edge of the experience. It is part of the splash pad’s identity, helping transform the site into a place that reflects the stories, culture, and community it belongs to. By connecting the design to the surrounding community and land, Blacktown City Council has created an inclusive public space that feels thoughtful, intentional, and rooted in place. It is the kind of amenity where residents can see local identity reflected back to them, helping build connection, recognition, and pride. 

Comfort was also an important part of the splash pad design. A large shade sail from Shade’n Net helps provide relief from the hot sun, while sandstone blocks around the perimeter offer ample seating for parents and guardians watching from the sidelines. Picnic tables with umbrellas at the end of the splash pad provide additional places to rest, gather, and enjoy the day, making the area more comfortable for the whole family. 

Playful, practical, and rooted in place, the Riverstone Swimming Centre splash pad shows what is possible when recreation is designed with meaning. It invites children to play, gives families a comfortable place to gather, and celebrates the culture and community that make Riverstone unique.