Finalizing the project
The splash pad measures nearly 36.8 m (121 ft) diagonally; 30.4 m (100 ft) at its longest and 26.8-m (88 ft) at its widest point. The facility comprises a teen area as well as a toddler zone. Also, the waterpark’s design complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards.
Each zone flows into the next, increasing in water feature size from smaller features to larger interactive water play attractions. The nature-based theme of the aquatic facility is both fun and incredible, reflecting the uniqueness of the Morehead community.
Once the design was complete and the custom pieces were in production, it was time to name the new park. The team decided to go with Daniel Boone’s native American name, ‘Sheltowee,’ while the many cascading water features in the park’s design lead to ‘Falls.’
Opening day
Although the splash pad was to initially open in the summer of 2018, it opened only briefly in the fall and was used by the community on warm days until it was winterized in late October. Unfortunately, a collapsed water tank delayed its reopening the following year. After successful repairs, the inclusive play facility had a grand reopening in August 2019 and was visited by hundreds of residents daily for the remainder of the season.
Chris Thomas has a decade of experience promoting the physical, mental, and social benefits of aquatic play. His background in marketing and communication design has allowed him to identify market needs, contribute to the aquatic community through product development to enhance the guest experience, and discover design strategies that move child development forward. Over the years, Thomas has contributed to industry publications and collaborated with consultants and end-users to bring their vision to life. He can be reached via email at chris.thomas@fountainpeople.com.
