May 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 12

WE ARE PARKS AND RECREATION
Design and Engineering Considerations
for Splash Pads
By Cheri Ruane, FASLA, and Mark Mariano, P.E., CPO
S
plash pads are increasingly popular because they provide a level
of aquatics entertainment that can be enjoyed by any age
and ability level and have fewer operation and maintenance
(O&M) requirements than a traditional pool. The combination
of barrier-free entry, no standing water and interactive features allows
for a safe environment for aquatics entertainment while reducing
owner costs and liability.
Inclusive Play
By designing splash pads with
different zones based on age and
physical ability, younger children
can have safe separation from older
children whose play levels and
gross motor skill development
may be quite different. However,
locating these areas near to one
another provides a strong sense
of inclusion and collaboration.
Additionally, with barrier-free
entry on all sides, everyone has
equal access, regardless of their
physical
ability
assisted devices.
Designs for Water
Management
There are two strategies for managing
water use in splash pads:
recirculation and spray-to-drain.
Recirculating systems reuse water
while spray-to-drain systems
do not. Both require daily O&M
but greatly reduce overall water
consumption.
Recirculation Systems
Larger aquatics facilities rely on
recirculation systems to keep the
water clean. They use a series of
12 Parks & Recreation | MAY 2 0 2 3
| PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
or
mobilitytanks
and pipes to supply water,
then capture that same water
and convey it to a collection tank
where it is treated so it can be
safely reused.
Typical daily maintenance for
recirculation
systems
checking water
levels
involves
in
the
collection tank, checking filter
pressures, backwashing filters,
cleaning strainer
baskets, and
checking and recording chemical
levels. Newer technology allows
for automated testing and
wireless messaging systems to
alert operators when something
in the system is amiss.
Treatment chemicals used in
these systems are typically chlorine
and acid-based liquids, tablets
or powders. Many states now
require the use of ultraviolet (UV)
disinfection, which is essential
for any aquatics facility with high
bacteria levels in the water. UV
light offers immediate destruction
of pathogens, such as Cryptosporidium,
that can develop and become
resistant to chlorine.
Spray-to-Drain Systems
Rather than capturing the water
and conveying it to either a drain
or an infiltration system, this
model allows the water to percolate
into the ground. Health
codes vary from state to state
and determine where water from
splash pads may be discharged.
In areas where water is plentiful,
it is common to see spray-to-drain
systems that use potable water
for recreational use. However,
municipalities that pay for their
water use are often wary of sprayto-drain
systems because even
though they are less expensive to
construct and easier to operate,
the cost of water will exceed the
original capital and maintenance
costs of a recirculation system in
about six to eight years.
To optimize spray-to-drain
systems, they can be designed
to capture the water with subsurface
tanks and reuse it for
irrigation purposes. These sprayto-reuse
systems also can convey
water into perforated pipes below
planting areas to help water trees
and other plants. If the water will
be sprayed through an irrigation
system onto playing fields, then
it must be filtered and disinfected
to ensure human health and
safety. These irrigation heads are
typically a specific color indicating
the water is not suitable for
human consumption.
Feature Options
Ground jets, arching sprays and
misters can be used for play or as
May 2023 - Parks & Recreation

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