From Start to Finish: A Step-By-Step Guide to Building a Splash Pad
There is a lot of time, energy, planning, and execution that goes into building a safe, fun, and inclusive splash pad, but that doesn’t mean the process has to be overwhelming. From the initial planning stages to grand opening, there are many steps that need to be taken to ensure that the final product is exactly what your community is looking for. Tackling them one by one is a great way to make sure that nothing is missed and that the end result brings your vision to life!
If you’re wondering what exactly goes into building a splash pad, don’t worry! Waterplay has put together this helpful guide to help you navigate the entire process, start-to-finish. From planning and design to construction and grand opening, Waterplay will walk you through the steps that it takes to bring a safe, inclusive, and accessible splash pad to life in your community.
Location, location, location!
One of the first factors to considerwhen building a splash pad is the location of where it will be built. Flat terrain with good drainage is crucial to ensuring that water will flow properly through the splash pad features and won’t pool in places where it isn’t supposed to. Choosing a flat space also helps create better visibility across the entire splash pad, which becomes important once a splash pad is complete. Parents and guardians will want good sightlines throughout the play space to ensure that their children and other users stay safe while splashing around and enjoying all the fun features.
This is also when you will want to identify how your splash pad will be funded. Will the project be receiving federal or municipal grants, or will it be community-funded? In some cases, projects will involve a little bit of both, so understanding where funds are coming from is essential to ensuring that the splash pad stays within the scope of the allotted budget for the project. Many municipalities have grants and other funding opportunities available for outdoor recreation spaces such as splash pads, so exploring all funding options is a great way to ensure that you get the biggest bang for your buck when it comes to the splash pad design. The Waterplay team can provide amazing 3D renders of the proposed design that will help community members visualize what the finished splash pad will look like, which can help get people excited and aid community fundraising initiatives.
Let your imagination run wild
Designing a splash pad is where you can let your imagination and creativity shine! With a location and budget in place, Waterplay and their team of expert designers will work with you to bring your splash pad vision to life! Have a specific idea or colour palette in mind? No problem! Looking for unique play features that tie in with a specific theme? Waterplay can help with that! Eager to incorporate inclusive and accessible play features that will appeal to waterplayers of all ages and abilities? Absolutely! Waterplay’s team of designers will look at the splash pad design as a whole to ensure that the result is everything you’re looking for and will serve your community for years to come.
But designing a splash pad isn’t just about choosing the right spray features for the space; you’ll also want to consider other elements that tie into the overall splash pad design, such as:
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Surfacing options
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Shade elements for sun protection
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Seating options for those who might not be actively using the splash pad
Create a construction and install plan
Once the design has been approved and plans have been put in place, it’s time to move on to the construction phase of building a splash pad. This will involve ensuring that the site is prepped appropriately for the splash pad installation and that all the necessary infrastructure is in place to support the project once the splash pad is ready to be installed. It’s incredibly important to work with experienced contractors throughout this process to help the installation go smoothly. Certified installers will make sure that water features are installed correctly, everything is tied together correctly, and that the entire splash pad will work seamlessly once the water has been turned on.
Don't forget to test!
Once the splash pad has been installed and the construction crews have moved on to the next site, it’s time to conduct testing and any other final maintenance that might be required before the splash pad can be opened to the public. Conduct tests on the water quality and make sure that flow rates through each of the spray features are calibrated properly. Testing automated play sequences is also important to make sure the splash pad doesn’t run when it isn’t supposed to.
Waterplay’s product support team can provide training to anyone who will be responsible for the day-to-day maintenance of the splash pad, and once training is complete, all that is left to do is obtain the final safety inspections and approvals to make sure the splash pad is safe for everyone who uses it.
Host a Grant Opening!
Once your splash pad has been given final approval and everything is in working order, the fun can begin! Holding a grand opening is a great way to get the community involved and invested in the splash pad’s success. Partner with local businesses to bring the community together for an afternoon of splashing good fun to celebrate your new splash pad. Be sure to provide clear, educational signage that advertises operating hours as well as phone numbers that patrons can call if any safety or maintenance concerns pop up while they use the space.
Consider inviting local schools or youth programs to use the splash pad early to help build excitement around the grand opening. Make sure to spread the word on social media and on municipality websites so those visiting from out of town can easily find the information they need to utilize the splash pad to its fullest!
While there are a lot of steps that go into designing and building an amazing splash pad, it doesn’t have to be hard! With thoughtful planning and expert execution, you can create a space that will continue to serve your community for years to come. Start your splash pad build with confidence knowing that Waterplay will support you every step of the way!