December 2024 – Parks & Recreation - 48

OPERATIONS
Transforming Aquatics Play Spaces
The advantages of converting kiddie pools to splash pads
By Suzanne DalMonte
K
iddie pools in public parks were popular a few decades ago
and were installed for toddlers who were too small to swim in
larger pools. They had less than one foot of water and a low
wall for parents to sit on the edge, and children could safely
and easily enter and exit the pool.
With the rise of new aquatics
trends, these areas with little playability
have become unused zones
in many parks. And as these spaces
continue to be underutilized, park
and recreation agencies are looking
for better ways to bring new interest
and new patrons to aquatics
play areas. As a result, converting
kiddie pools to splash pads has become
a popular renovation option.
Creating Inclusivity
Manufacturers and designers are
seeing a trend in all playgrounds
- whether dry or aquatics - to
design areas that include all community
members, regardless of
their age or abilities. Splash pads
welcome users with a wide range
of developmental, cognitive and
physical abilities, as well as different
age groups - including older
generations acting as caregivers
to children.
To be fully inclusive, splash pads
need to have sections that attract
and encourage a wide range of
patrons. Using a variety of water
features, water flows, spacing, sizes
and colors can make the facility
even more accessible to its users.
The inclusive-play trend coupled
with the needs of a community together
dictate specific requirements
within a splash pad.
Generating Revenue
Ultimately, the more people a park
attracts, the more likely it will be
to break even on expenses. Since
splash pads attract a larger portion
of the population compared to kiddie
pools, the parks they live within
tend to see more patrons - from
babies and toddlers to tweens and
grandparents, and especially those
with disabilities.
A lot of facilities are not only
removing their kiddie pools, but
they are also increasing the footprint
of their play area and adding
much larger splash pads. If a
facility can add a splash pad area
of around 2,000 square feet, they
can then fence it and open the
area even before it is time for the
larger pool to open. This is a huge
benefit, as it extends the season
for the facility and does not limit
its operation based on the availability
of lifeguards.
Offering Versatility
As with any community gathering
space, creating a visually striking
splash pad can provide excitement
and interest for all users. Oftentimes,
using a large, iconic water
feature
piece within the
splash
A splash pad play area can become a
gathering place for all people to relax
and connect through the joy of water.
48 Parks & Recreation | DECEMBER 2 0 2 4 | PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
pad is important. Large buckets
of water to anchor the splash pad
add an element of attraction, even
when the facility is not in use. One
eye-catching option for splash
pads is large rings that spray mist.
These are both attractive and easily
integrated into a sequencing
design for inclusive play. Having
water splash, cascade and bubble
creates a series of soothing
sounds, which invariably enhances
the ambience.
Unlike kiddie pools, a lot of
splash pad features are easy to replace
by using the same or existing
PHOTO COURTESY OF WATER ODYSSEY
December 2024 – Parks & Recreation

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