Tretheway Splash Pad
Lake Country, BC, CAN
Project Details
Location: Lake Country, BC, CAN
Application: Splash Pad Revitalization
Year of Installation: 2026
Main Features:
- Sparx
- Wiggly
- Waterfall 3
- Papillon
- Sling Soaker
- Flutterby
- Splash Blasters
- Custom Bee Fellow
A Splash Pad Revitalization Rooted in Community.
For decades, the Tretheway Splash Pad in Swalwell Park has been a summer staple in Lake Country, British Columbia. Originally installed by Waterplay, the splash pad has welcomed generations of families looking to cool off, connect, and make memories during the hot Okanagan summer months.
When the District of Lake Country began reimagining Swalwell Park based on community feedback in 2023, it wanted to create more than an updated park. The vision was to create a vibrant outdoor destination where families could gather, play, and spend time together in a space that felt deeply connected to the community around them.
Working alongside Parkworks, the Design Builder for the project, Waterplay was brought in to help revitalize the existing splash pad as part of the larger Swalwell Park transformation. The goal was to bring new energy to the space while preserving the familiar features, playful experiences, and splashy fun that had made it a community favourite for years.
The Challenge
Over the years, the Tretheway Splash Pad has become a familiar summer stop for local families and visitors alike- a place where kids could cool off, race between sprays, and gather around features that had become part of the park's identity.
When the District of Lake Country began planning the broader revitalization of Swalwell Park, the splash pad was an important part of the conversation. The goal wasn't to start over from scratch, but to revitalize a favourite community amenity and make sure it would continue to bring families together for years to come.
That meant finding the right balance between old and new. Iconic features like the Big Apple and Water Tower held years of memories for local families and had become recognizable parts of the splash pad experience. Because both features already fit naturally within the proposed theme for the park, preserving them helped protect the character of the splash pad. At the same time, the district wanted to introduce new interactive elements, refresh the overall experience, and add more play value for the next generation of visitors.
Because Swalwell Park was being transformed as a whole, the splash pad also needed to feel connected to the park's larger vision. It needed to complement the new playground, outdoor fitness area, and picnic area while still holding onto the playful local identity that made it special in the first place.
The Solution
Waterplay worked closely with Parkworks and the District of Lake Country to revitalize the splash pad in a way that respected what was already there while creating something new for families to discover.
Surrounded by orchards, vineyards, and farms, Lake Country's agricultural heritage directly influenced the design for the Swalwell Park project. By revitalizing the existing Big Apple and Water Tower features, Waterplay and Parkworks built upon an agricultural theme that already felt at home in the community, carrying it through the refreshed splash pad and connecting it to the broader Swalwell Park experience. From there, additional features were selected to add energy, interaction, and even more connection to the area's agricultural roots.
The Sparx and Papillon add colour and a little bit of magic to the pad, with translucent Aqualume™ wings that catch the sunlight and cast playful reflections across the surface. A custom Bee Fellow, Wiggly, and Flutterby invite kids to take charge of the water, spinning the features from side to side to send sprays in new directions.
To keep the energy high, refurbished Splash Blasters bring back the joy of friendly splash battles, encouraging kids to team up, dodge, spray, and laugh their way through the space. Various ground sprays add surprise and variety underfoot, creating different levels of splash intensity for children to explore at their own pace.
For hands-on discovery, a Waterfall 3 provides kids with a place to experiment with how water moves. They can dump it, block it, guide it, spin it, flick it, and collect it as it travels through the feature, turning simple play into curious, cause-and-effect exploration.
For kids chasing the biggest splash on the pad, the ladybug Sling Soaker delivers a true “wait for it!” moment. As the translucent bucket slowly fills overhead, anticipation builds until it tips, sending a thrilling rush of water onto everyone gathered below.
Paired with the refurbished Big Apple and Water Tower, these new interactive features help preserve the experiences families already know and love while creating new opportunities to play, explore, and connect.
The Implementation
The splash pad revitalization was delivered as part of the broader Swalwell Park project, alongside new playground, fitness, and gathering spaces. With several pieces of the park taking shape at once, Waterplay, Parkworks, and the District of Lake Country worked closely together to coordinate the splash pad around site work and installation timelines. Regular site meetings and clear communication helped everyone stay aligned as the renewed splash pad came together alongside the rest of the park.
As with many revitalization projects, the team uncovered a few surprises along the way. During installation, a damaged water line beneath the splash pad needed to be repaired before work could continue. Waterplay worked closely with everyone involved to address the issue quickly, keeping the project moving with minimal disruption.
Through thoughtful planning, practical problem-solving, and strong collaboration, the revitalized Tretheway Splash Pad was brought back to life as part of a renewed park experience built for long-term community use.
The Outcome
Today, the Tretheway Splash Pad feels right at home in Swalwell Park.
The revitalized splash pad works alongside the park’s new playground, outdoor fitness area, and gathering spaces to create a destination where families can splash, climb, move, rest, and spend more time together. By preserving familiar features while adding new interactive experiences, the project increased play value without losing the character that made the splash pad special in the first place.
Swalwell Park’s grand opening took place in May 2026, and even rainy weather couldn’t keep families away. The updated park and revitalized splash pad were warmly received by the public, with families arriving excited to explore, play, and experience the renewed space for themselves.
Through thoughtful revitalization, the District of Lake Country extended the lifespan of the existing splash pad, improved its performance, and helped it contribute even more to the overall park experience. Rooted in the character of the community and built for the future, Tretheway Splash Pad continues a tradition of play, discovery, and connection for generations to come.
Project Partners:
- Parkworks
- District of Lake Country
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