Today, many elements are available to make play sequencing an engaging attraction. One can start with a range of bubblers and water-weaving features to create visually interesting patterns, drawing users into the splash pad without the fear of being confronted with a lot of water all at once.
In the case of the Kinsmen Park splash pad, the customized spray features are all based on standard play features offering a variety of water intensity levels for a fully inclusive water play experience.
Sightlines, supervision, and caretaker comfort
In addition to the inclusive play elements incorporated into a splash pad, providing unobstructed sightlines across all areas is key for supervising children, especially those who might be experiencing physical, developmental, or
cognitive limitations.
Designers do not find large, solid elements to be an ideal choice for water play areas—features should be minimized, so they can limit the places where children can hide. A larger variety of these components encourages play, fun, and exploration while cooling the skin and soothing the mind with different water sounds. An inclusive splash pad can make any park or community an attractive gathering space for all.
When designing facilities to include older generations, both the splash pad surface as well as the surrounding area need to be flat to accommodate the wheels of walkers and wheelchairs, and should not have any irregular cross slopes either, for those with mobility and balance limitations.
“The surface must be slip-resistant, smooth, and flat. Older users are generally in a supervisory role and, therefore, it is important to provide comfortable areas for them to stand or sit and still be able to oversee
children. Shaded seating and accessible routes to benches make a splash pad highly successful for caretakers,
especially grandparents.”
How custom play helps bring communities together
A splash pad play area can become a gathering place for people of all abilities, ages, and backgrounds to relax and connect through the joy of water. Having a custom designed splash pad also invokes community pride and ownership. The naturally inclusive landscape of a splash pad not only offers a fun adventure for the community, but also satisfies their unique physical and cognitive needs. A simple but powerful space, an inclusive aquatic facility offers a glimpse of the larger picture of universal well-being and connectivity. A custom designed splash pad gives local communities something to call their own, something to boast about, and something to post about on social media as well.
The Kinsmen splash pad, with its one-of-a-kind, custom created water features, gives this Edmonton park a unique visual appeal and reflects the natural beauty of its surrounding River Valley. Splash pads such as Kinsmen, offer a zero-depth aquatic solution, which takes its cue from nature by combining the sensations of different water movements—flowing, misting, jetting—and using it to create an uncompromising custom design for an unequalled play adventure.
Author
Chris Thomas is the director of marketing at Fountain People and Water Odyssey and has a decade of experience promoting the physical, mental, and social benefits of water features and aquatic play. His background in marketing and communication design allows 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. Thomas has contributed to various 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.
