Swan Park Splash Pad
Beaver Dam, WI, USA
Project Details
Location: Beaver Dam, WI, USA
Application: Splash Pad | Municipal Park | Product Testing Facility
Year of Installation: 2023
Main Features:
- Nature and local theming
- Immersive play features and design elements
- Iconic Sky Soaker (30gal / 113l splash)
- USA test pad location
This is a splash pad to get excited about!
Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, isn’t a place many people know about, but it’s well known in the aquatics industry. Home to world-class aquatic designers, engineers, and builders that service the globe, Beaver Dam is also home to Swan Park Splash Pad, a beautiful addition to the redevelopment of the park space in 2023, transforming an old, underused pool into a vibrant, safe, and sustainable community space. This revitalization is part of a growing trend where municipalities are opting to replace outdated, high-maintenance pools with splash pads, providing safer, more cost-effective alternatives. The Swan Park Splash Pad is also Waterplay’s official USA test pad.
Swan Park Splash Pad was designed for two purposes: first, and most important, to give the local community and visitors an amazing place to play and connect in the summer months, and second, to support Waterplay’s innovative product development and play research. Revitalizing older spaces like this old pool not only reinvigorates communities, but splash pads also offer a safer play environment, requiring no lifeguards and featuring zero-depth surfaces that eliminate the risks associated with traditional pools. How awesome is that?
THE SPLASH PAD
The community of Beaver Dam is rooted in nature, and this was the perfect inspiration for Swan Park Splash Pad’s design. Nature-themed splash play is incorporated throughout, inviting users of all ages and abilities to experience nature in a new and exciting way. Raining leaves tower above, casting a green shadow onto the splash pad below, while the waterfall feature—a series of translucent water channels with weirs designed to disrupt the flow—encourages discovery and exploration.
The design includes diverse play zones to ensure there’s something for everyone. High, medium, and low-action areas allow for all play styles, making the splash pad safe and accessible for people of all ages and abilities. Another highlight is the incorporation of immersive play features that go beyond just spraying water. These features engage Waterplayers to interact hands-on with the water, sparking STEM learning and critical thinking, and creating opportunities for deeper, more meaningful play.
No park is complete without Waterplay’s iconic Sky Soaker, a towering translucent dumping sphere that drenches anyone beneath it with 30 gallons (113 litres) of splashing water. The municipality of Beaver Dam made sure to place the town’s logo on the Sky Soaker to reinforce a sense of community and pride within the space. These thoughtful design touches are found throughout the splash pad, from graphics inspired by local flora and fauna to two custom beaver spray cannons, designed especially for Swan Park by Waterplay’s sister company, Wekid Mfg.
Splash pads like this one are also transforming the way municipalities approach recreational spaces. By shifting from traditional pools to splash pads, communities are opting for a safer, more sustainable, and cost-effective option. Splash pads don’t require lifeguards, and with zero-depth surfaces, they eliminate the risks associated with deep water, making them ideal for families and children.
Additionally, splash pads like Swan Park incorporate push-to-start activators and advanced water management systems, drastically reducing water usage. These systems not only make splash pads more eco-friendly but also significantly lower operational costs, making them a more affordable choice for municipalities. As municipalities continue to prioritize sustainability and cost-effectiveness, splash pads are quickly becoming the go-to choice. The Swan Park Splash Pad stands as a prime example of how modern play spaces can be both environmentally responsible and endlessly fun for the community.
THE TEST PAD
This amazing space doubles as Waterplay’s USA testing facility, which means that the lucky Waterplayers in Beaver Dam will have access to some of Waterplay’s latest and most innovative splash pad features! Headquartered in British Columbia, Canada, the Waterplay Team conducts extensive research on all product designs to identify play experiences and outcomes and deliver an outstanding, research-backed product to communities throughout the world. The Beaver Dam testing facility is a great extension to this ongoing work and allows the research team opportunity to gain research in multiple testing environments.
We told you! This is really a splash pad to get excited about.
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