The Importance of Incorporating Accessibility and Inclusivity into Splash Pad Design
Splash pads are the coolest place to be during the hot summer months! Fun for the entire family, splash pads create community hubs where people from all over can come together and beat the heat. They also present the perfect opportunity to create accessible, inclusive play spaces within your community.Â
When aiming to create accessible and inclusive aquatic play spaces, it’s important to understand what exactly accessibility means. Accessibility, by definition, is the quality of being able to be entered or used by everyone, including people who have a disability. When designing a splash pad or other aquatic play space, it’s important to keep accessibility and inclusivity at the forefront of your mind throughout the entire process. By adhering to the ADA Standards for Accessible Design, you can create an incredible aquatic play space that can truly be enjoyed by everyone in the community, regardless of their age or ability.
Key Accessibility Standards to ConsiderÂ
Designing a splash pad with accessibility and inclusivity in mind can feel daunting but rest assured that Waterplay’s expert design team will help you through every step of the process. Splash pads are inherently accessible, as there is no standing water to contend with, but that doesn’t mean that a splash pad can’t be designed with accessibility as a focus. Factoring in zero-depth entry points and accessible routes into and out of the splash pad is a wonderful place to start. Ensuring that water features are spaced out enough to allow mobility devices to move through the splash pad freely is also important, as it gives those with mobility devices such as wheelchairs or walkers the space needed to easily navigate the features.Â
The splash pad surfacing is also important to consider as part of the overall project design. A non-slip, safe surface is going to benefit everyone who uses the splash pad, helping keep feet free from scrapes or bumps, and providing a soft surface for waterplayers who may take a tumble as they play. One of Waterplay’s trusted suppliers, LifeFloor, is a terrific option for those looking for cushioned, slip-resistant surfacing for their splash pad. Colourful and full of life, LifeFloor surfacing creates slip-resistant surfaces that invite all types of aquatic fun. Â
Designing for All Abilities: Inclusive Play Features
When it comes to choosing play features and laying them out in the perfect splash pad design, there are a few things to keep in mind regardingaccessibility and inclusivity. As mentioned above, ensuring that the overall design is mobility-friendly is key. Establish clear pathways and transfer points throughout the design as well as removing any thresholds or barriers to access the splash pad is essential. Utilizing ground sprays and other interactive features is a great way to make sure your splash pad has something for everyone. Waterplay even offers a ground-level activator, the playPHASE™ Foot Activator,that can be triggered by tapping it with your foot or rolling over it in a wheelchair or walker. Â
Adding sensory elements to your splash pad design takes inclusivity and accessibility one step further. While it can be exciting to design an aquatic play space full of big splashes and high-action water cannons, it’s important to consider the needs of everyone who will be using the space. This includes all ages and all abilities, from tiny toddlers experiencing water play for the first time and children who might use mobility aids, to adults who might want to enjoy the splash pads with their kids. Creating a splash pad design that offers multiple levels of sensory play ensures that you’re catering to everyone. Waterplay likes to design with their Action Zones in mind to ensure that every splash pad has something for everyone:Â
-
Development and Discovery Zone: A space for thoughtful and contemplative play that moves at a mindful pace.Â
-
Exploration Zone: Spray, dump, splash, team up and take on challenges. This universal space invites collective fun. Â
-
Adventure Zone: Big splashes and non-stop activity, full of energy and excitement! Â
Segmenting play areas is a fantastic way to ensure that you’re designing a space that will have something for everyone, regardless of whether they’re looking for the high stimulation thrill that comes from the splash of a Mega Soaker, or the gentle, low stimulation of a ground spray or Waterfall feature. Â
The Real-World Impact of Inclusive Splash PadsÂ
The benefits of designing an inclusive splash pad go beyond just the impact it has on those actually using the play space. It will become the focal point of a community, a space where people can gather and play together. Splash pads are often community-centric and accessible to anyone who visits, which helps remove the financial barriers that some may face with other amenities such as public pools or recreation centres. Splash pads provide incredible play opportunities for kids, including sensory play and peer-to-peer play. They create spaces where kids can collaborate and explore, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills. Â
Don’t forget about parents or caregivers, too! Creating an accessible, inclusive space goes beyond the splash pad itself. Providing them with shaded seating areas that have unobstructed views of the splash pad and water features is a great way to promote active involvement and supervision for the kids who want to play all day. Â
Waterplay had the opportunity to design and install Splashlantis at Pleasant Park - a thoughtfully designed splash pad that blends sustainability and innovation to create an inclusive space for the entire community to enjoy. Located in Apex, North Carolina, this splash pad is an excellent example of how an accessible, inclusive design can create a community hotspot that encourages playful interactions and supports cognitive growth!Â
Tips for Designing an Inclusive Splash PadÂ
Aside from the play features themselves, there are a few other essential tips to keep in mind when designing an inclusive splash pad. Waterplay’s design team leverage the 7 Principles of Universal Design wherever possible, which include:Â
-
Equitable UseÂ
-
Flexibility in UseÂ
-
Simple and Intuitive UseÂ
-
Perceptible InformationÂ
-
Tolerance for ErrorÂ
-
Low Physical EffortÂ
-
Size and Space for Approach and UseÂ
On top of these seven design principles and the ADA guidelines, there are a few other things you can factor into your splash pad design to really round out the project and create a truly amazing, splashy space. Make sure you’ve added areas with shade and seating surrounding the splash pad to create comfortable spaces for parents and caregivers to relax while kids play. Ensure that signage for the splash pad is clearly visible and easily readable to make sure that all necessary information – such as splash pad operating hours and a contact number – is accessible to everyone. Â
Designing a splash pad to be accessible and inclusive shouldn’t be optional. It is essential for creating a welcoming, safe, and enjoyable aquatic play environment for everyone who visits. Your splash pad should combine fun, functionality, and aesthetics to create a vibrant, splashy play space for all to enjoy. It’s also important to remember that inclusive and accessible splash pads don’t just meet standards; they celebrate diversity and help bring communities together, one splash at a time!