Inclusivity meets design
The Kinsmen splash pad play area is roughly 28.25 x 11.72 m (93.75 x 38.5 ft) in size and uses a recirculation tank because the city is conscientious about conserving its water resources. The size of the splash pad itself provides 723 m2 (2373 sf) of wet play area and recirculates 890 litres per minute (lpm)
(235 gallons per minute [gpm]) of water. The splash pad is multigenerational and 100 per cent inclusive for users of all ages. Users can crawl, walk, run, or roll into the splash pad and engage in other forms of water play. Unlike many playground structures, this splash pad has no age restrictions. The entire design is meant to be entirely inclusive with age-appropriate play zones, and it meets all accessibility requirements 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. The nature-based theme of the water features is fun and reflects the uniqueness of the beauty along the river.
“As a ‘playologist,’ my goal is to create play, inspire movement, stretch muscles, and get the giggles started,” says Robinson. “When I watch kids playing in this splash pad, I’m so pleased to watch them get so excited, trying to anticipate when the water will spray them or dump on them. The water features are all set to different sequencing patterns with controllers, so everything is a surprise for the kids. The water features we chose not only foster independent play, but also co-operative play—as kids invent games and work together to spin water features to make buckets dump more water, and create further excitement by running between the water features.”
The arrangement of play features in a splash pad is key to ensure those with developmental or cognitive limitations have areas within a splash pad to participate as well. A variety of sensory experiences build upon one another to make the facility more inclusive for those with such limitations.
Designers can create a sequence of features, starting with sensory exploration, with something as simple as a bubbler, and gradually move toward those with increased intensity—drawing users into the splash pad. When done properly, this sequencing provides participants the opportunity to try something more powerful, such as an archway with spraying water, but it also allows them to quickly retreat to a less forceful water feature. Moving from one zone to another allows users to explore the area at their own pace.
Unlike playgrounds rated by suggested ages, it is important for splash pads to be defined by the intensity of their water features. For example, some children are not keen to get their head wet, as it is a sensory experience, and this is not necessarily related to a specific age group. Cognitive and developmental stages indicate how each child develops their ability to process sensory experiences differently. It is important to have zones with lower water use which progress through a sequencing path, and move up toward more energetic features, such as dumping buckets. As a result, manufacturers of water features now offer product lines with different intensity levels and options to accommodate the overall size and plan of a splash pad for potential users.
