Splash Park Design This session, hosted by Bill Hachmeister of Water Odyssey, detailed the reasons for designing a splash park and  the best ways  to do  so.   He explained  that  splash parks are budget  friendly, safe, and designed for all ages.  An important part of splash park design is meeting the needs of the  community  by  knowing  whether  or  not  you  should  build  your  splash  park  next  to  a playground or leave it as a stand‐alone area.  Departments looking in to building a splash park must go through a detailed planning session that discusses design  issues (e.g., parking, shade, signage,  showers,  trash, etc).    It was explained  that  security and  safety are  two major  issues that must be considered when building a splash park in your community.  The most important factor in splash park design is the budget.  There are many features that are varied depending on the cost that can be put  in to design. As an example, the decision between potable versus recirculating systems is not only important for the budget but also for the daily maintenance of the  area.    A  splash  park  area  can  be  advantageous  to  the  community  as  well  as  your department.  

 

   

Welcome to Aquatic Play DesignWelcome to Aquatic Play DesignWelcome to Aquatic Play DesignWelcome to Aquatic Play Design

•• Basic overviewBasic overviewWhat is aquatic playWhat is aquatic playWhat is aquatic playWhat is aquatic playTerminologyTerminologyWhat is an aquatic play featureWhat is an aquatic play featureWhat is an aquatic play featureWhat is an aquatic play featureWhy install an aquatic playgroundWhy install an aquatic playground

What is an What is an What is an What is an “Aquatic Playground”?“Aquatic Playground”?

Aquatic Playground: Aquatic Playground: A recreational area designed for A recreational area designed for A recreational area designed for A recreational area designed for interactive water play. interactive water play.

It does not have an open basin of It does not have an open basin of standing water like a wading pool or standing water like a wading pool or swimming pool.swimming pool.g pg p

T i l gT i l gTerminologyTerminology

A i Pl dA i Pl d (ASLA ASTM)(ASLA ASTM)•• Aquatic PlaygroundAquatic Playground (ASLA, ASTM)(ASLA, ASTM)•• Wet Deck (ASTM)Wet Deck (ASTM)•• Spray Deck (ASTM)Spray Deck (ASTM)•• Spray Deck (ASTM)Spray Deck (ASTM)•• Spray PoolSpray Pool•• Splash ParkSplash ParkSplash ParkSplash Park•• Spray GroundSpray Ground•• Splash PadSplash Pad•• Spray ZoneSpray Zone•• Splash ZoneSplash Zone

What is an Aq atic Pla What is an Aquatic Play Feature?

It is a climb-resistant play featureIt is a climb resistant play feature designed for use in water play

environments thatenvironments that….

Sprays, Squirts, Mists

or, “Sheets” water.

Dumps, Shoots,

“l G d”“ln-Ground”(Flush Mount)

“Themed features”

“Above Grade”

Interactive PlayPlay

Theme DesignWhy Install an Aquatic Playground?Why Install an Aquatic Playground?Why Install an Aquatic Playground?Why Install an Aquatic Playground?

•• Recreational AttractionRecreational Attraction•• Alternative to a new swimming poolAlternative to a new swimming pool•• Alternative to a new swimming pool.Alternative to a new swimming pool.•• Safe Play vs wading and swimming Safe Play vs wading and swimming

pools pools no standing water no standing water pools pools –– no standing water no standing water •• More costMore cost--effective Installationeffective Installation•• More costMore cost--effective Operationeffective Operation

As a Replacement for old As a Replacement for old Wading PoolsWading Pools

Photo Courtesy of Counsilman/Hunsaker Associates, Inc.

Addition to an Existing FacilityAddition to an Existing Facility

Forest Grove Aquatic Center - Forest Grove, OR

As a Part of a RenovationAs a Part of a Renovation

Rio Vista Park Pool, San Marcos, TX

New Aquatic Center

Photo Courtesy of Counsilman/Hunsaker Associates, Inc. Beachwood, OH

As a New Aquatic PlaygroundAs a New Aquatic Playground

Celebration Park, Allen, TX

Overview of TopicsOverview of TopicsOverview of TopicsOverview of Topics

•• Site Selection and PlanningSite Selection and Planning•• Budgeting Budgeting •• Area RequirementsArea Requirements•• Planning for Play and SafetyPlanning for Play and Safety•• Recirculation versus Potable SystemsRecirculation versus Potable Systems•• Reusing Potable Water for Irrigation Reusing Potable Water for Irrigation g gg g•• Q&AQ&A

Site Selection for Aquatic PlaygroundSite Selection for Aquatic Playground

•• Community NeedsCommunity Needsyy•• DemographicsDemographics•• Next to existing playgroundNext to existing playground•• Next to existing playgroundNext to existing playground•• Stand aloneStand alone

Planning ConsiderationsPlanning ConsiderationsPlanning ConsiderationsPlanning Considerations

•• “Footprint”“Footprint”•• FootprintFootprint•• EnvironmentEnvironment•• ParkingParking•• Visitor Seating and ShadeVisitor Seating and Shade•• Drinking FountainsDrinking Fountains•• Restroom AvailabilityRestroom Availability•• Restroom AvailabilityRestroom Availability•• Foot and Body ShowersFoot and Body Showers•• SignageSignageg gg g•• Trash ReceptaclesTrash Receptacles•• SecuritySecurity

“Footprint”“Footprint”

Approximate Approximate Number of Number of ChildrenChildren

Square Square FootageFootage

ShapeShape Est. Number Est. Number of Play of Play

ComponentsComponentspp

2020--3030 500500 CircleCircle 33--55

4040--8080 1,5001,500 CircleCircle 1010--1212

7070--100100 2,5002,500 Circle or Circle or SquareSquare

1212--1515

150150--200200 5,0005,000 Circle or Circle or SquareSquare

2020--3030

1 child every 20 square foot1 child every 20 square foot

EnvironmentEnvironmentEnvironmentEnvironment

Parking Shade & Seating

Drinking FountainPotable WaterPotable Water

Rest Rooms

Signage Showers

Trash ReceptaclesSecuritySecuritySecuritySecurity

••Child SecurityChild SecuritySupervisionSupervision

••Security from VandalismSecurity from VandalismSecurity from VandalismSecurity from VandalismLightsLightsFenceFenceFenceFence

BudgetingBudgeting

•• Budgeting for Equipment Cost Budgeting for Equipment Cost g g q pg g q p•• Budgeting for Installation Cost Budgeting for Installation Cost •• Budgeting for Maintenance CostBudgeting for Maintenance Cost•• Budgeting for Maintenance CostBudgeting for Maintenance Cost

Budgeting for Equipment CostBudgeting for Equipment CostBudgeting for Equipment CostBudgeting for Equipment Cost

•• Operating system, i.e., Potable or Operating system, i.e., Potable or Operating system, i.e., Potable or Operating system, i.e., Potable or Recirculation? Recirculation?

•• Play Feature Type Play Feature Type –– InIn--Ground Above Ground Above •• Play Feature Type Play Feature Type –– InIn--Ground, Above Ground, Above Grade or a combination? Grade or a combination?

B dg ti g f I t ll ti C tB dg ti g f I t ll ti C tBudgeting for Installation CostBudgeting for Installation Cost

•• Operating system, i.e., Potable or Operating system, i.e., Potable or Recirculation? Recirculation?

•• Size of the play area Size of the play area •• Availability of services Availability of services •• Availability of services Availability of services •• Hardscape Hardscape

Si ( f t )Si ( f t )–– Size (square footage)Size (square footage)–– SurfacingSurfacing

Budgeting for Installation Cost Budgeting for Installation Cost “Hardscape”“Hardscape”

•• 6” Reinforced concrete slab6” Reinforced concrete slab•• Allow 10%Allow 10%--20% additional paved 20% additional paved

area to capture overarea to capture over--spraysprayarea to capture overarea to capture over sprayspray

Stakeholder LaborStakeholder LaborStakeholder LaborStakeholder Labor

Hi f i l t ti •Hire a professional construction manager.

Additional StakeholdersAdditional StakeholdersAdditional StakeholdersAdditional Stakeholders

•• Neighborhood AssociationsNeighborhood Associations•• Homeowners AssociationsHomeowners AssociationsHomeowners AssociationsHomeowners Associations•• Local SchoolsLocal Schools•• Simple work performedSimple work performed•• Simple work performedSimple work performedCleanupCleanup

Budgeting for Installation Cost Budgeting for Installation Cost “Surfacing”“Surfacing”

•• Broom finished concrete Broom finished concrete •• Poured in place rubber Poured in place rubber •• Coating systems for color and or skidCoating systems for color and or skidCoating systems for color and or skidCoating systems for color and or skid

resistanceresistance•• Colored ConcreteColored ConcreteColored ConcreteColored Concrete

Budgeting for Maintenance CostBudgeting for Maintenance CostBudgeting for Maintenance CostBudgeting for Maintenance Cost

••PotablePotable••RecirculationRecirculation••Water Quality is Critical to Water Quality is Critical to ••Water Quality is Critical to Water Quality is Critical to

Health SafetyHealth Safety

Area RequirementsArea Requirements

Potable SystemsPotable Systems•• Water Water -- minimum 2” line at 50 psiminimum 2” line at 50 psiWater Water minimum 2 line at 50 psiminimum 2 line at 50 psi•• Power Power –– minimum 120 Volts AC, 20 minimum 120 Volts AC, 20

AmpsAmpsAmpsAmps•• Drain to waste Drain to waste -- Waste water Waste water

connection connection –– minimum 4” line to minimum 4” line to connection connection minimum 4 line to minimum 4 line to sanitary or ??? Check local codessanitary or ??? Check local codes

•• Water Meter?Water Meter?Water Meter?Water Meter?

Area RequirementsArea RequirementsR i l i R i l i Recirculation systemsRecirculation systems•• Water Water -- minimum 3/4 ” line at 50 psiminimum 3/4 ” line at 50 psi•• Power Power as required by recirculation as required by recirculation •• Power Power –– as required by recirculation as required by recirculation

equipment (pumps) equipment (pumps) –– single phase vs 3 phasesingle phase vs 3 phase•• Equipment SpaceEquipment Space•• Reservoir SpaceReservoir Space•• Drain to waste + Filter Backwash Drain to waste + Filter Backwash -- Waste Waste

water connection water connection minimum 4” line to minimum 4” line to water connection water connection –– minimum 4 line to minimum 4 line to sanitary or ??? Check local codes.sanitary or ??? Check local codes.

•• Water Meter?Water Meter?

Planning for Play and SafetyPlanning for Play and Safety•• Plan to Maximize the Play Value (Fun!).Plan to Maximize the Play Value (Fun!).•• Plan to Maximize Play Safety.Plan to Maximize Play Safety.y yy y•• Plan for Water Safety.Plan for Water Safety.

Planning your Aquatic Playground to Planning your Aquatic Playground to Maximize the Play Value (Fun!).Maximize the Play Value (Fun!).

Play Scenario™ Play Scenario™ -- the grouping of all the the grouping of all the EVENTS makeEVENTS make--up the operation of an up the operation of an aquatic playground. Basically how the aquatic playground. Basically how the aquatic playground operates.aquatic playground operates.

A play scenario should be designed to stimulate designed to stimulate children’s imaginations as gwell as their senses of sight, h i d t hhearing, and touch.

A ti l h ld An aquatic play area should be designed to tease by be des g ed to tease by creating anticipation and

isurprise.

Make sure Make sure YOUYOU can change play can change play a ua u OUOU a a g p aya a g p aytimes & scenariostimes & scenarios

Specify “fast acting” solenoidsSpecify fast acting solenoids

Activators Planning your Aquatic Playground Planning your Aquatic Playground to Maximize Play Safetyto Maximize Play Safety

Age AppropriatenessAge AppropriatenessAge AppropriatenessAge Appropriateness

2-5 Years 5-12 Years

Early Teens All Ages

8-12 Year Olds

Planning for Water SafetyPlanning for Water SafetyPlanning for Water SafetyPlanning for Water SafetyCryptosporidium Parvum

What is Crypto?What is Crypto?

“Cryptosporidium parvum is a parasite that “Cryptosporidium parvum is a parasite that is excreted in the feces of infected is excreted in the feces of infected is excreted in the feces of infected is excreted in the feces of infected humans, cattle, and other mammals.”humans, cattle, and other mammals.”

Planning Your Water Planning Your Water Planning Your Water Planning Your Water Management SystemManagement System

W TW TWater TreatmentWater Treatment FiltrationFiltration

•• SandSand•• CartridgeCartridge•• UVUV

ChemicalsChemicals ChemicalsChemicals•• Acid to balance pHAcid to balance pH•• Chlorine to sanitizeChlorine to sanitize•• Sea KlearSea Klear

Showers and signsShowers and signsShowers and signsShowers and signs

Monitoring of water quality and Monitoring of water quality and maintenance of water treatment maintenance of water treatment equipment is essential.equipment is essential.equipment is essential.equipment is essential.

What To Do/What To Look ForWhat To Do/What To Look ForWhat To Do/What To Look ForWhat To Do/What To Look For

•• Maintain Water level.Maintain Water level.•• Regularly check water clarity.Regularly check water clarity.•• Regularly monitor chlorine and ph levels Regularly monitor chlorine and ph levels -- a a

minimum of three times a day.minimum of three times a day.•• Maintain a log book.Maintain a log book.•• Regularly inspect for slime or visible bacteria.Regularly inspect for slime or visible bacteria.•• Regularly clean filter.Regularly clean filter.

What To Do/What To Look ForWhat To Do/What To Look For

•• Regularly clean pump strainer baskets.Regularly clean pump strainer baskets.•• Periodically shock the system.Periodically shock the system.•• Regularly dump reservoir.Regularly dump reservoir.g y pg y p

If there’s a If there’s a doubt doubt doubt, doubt,

dump it out!dump it out!dump it out!dump it out!

Recirculation Recirculation vs vs

Potable SystemsPotable SystemsPotable SystemsPotable Systems

Typical Potable SystemTypical Potable Systemyp yyp y

Drain

City Water (Potable) SystemCity Water (Potable) Systemy ( ) yy ( ) yRule of Thumb BudgetRule of Thumb Budget

1/3 Pl 1/3 - Play Equipment and AccessoriesAccessories2/3 -

Construction and InstallationInstallation

Recirculation System

Main Equipment Vault

Wet Deck

Sediment Trap

Recirculation

Water Treatment Vaults

and Strainer

Recirculation Reservoir

Wet Deck Equipment Room

Sediment Trap and Strainer

Recirculation Reservoir

Budget Variables for Budget Variables for Budget Variables for Budget Variables for Recirculation SystemsRecirculation Systems

•• Equipment Room vs VaultEquipment Room vs Vault•• Water Treatment System Water Treatment System •• Distance from Equipment to Play AreaDistance from Equipment to Play Area•• Proximity of Services Proximity of Services –– Water, Power, SewerWater, Power, Sewer

Recirculation SystemRecirculation SystemRecirculation SystemRecirculation SystemBudget PlanningBudget Planning

••Hardscape ConstructionHardscape Construction Play Hardscape ConstructionHardscape Construction••Recirculation and Recirculation and

Water TreatmentWater Treatment

Play Equipment and Accessories

••Equipment RoomEquipment Room••VaultVault Installation of Play

Equipment and q pAccessories

“Borrowing” Potable “Borrowing” Potable ggIrrigation WaterIrrigation Water

Irrigation System

Backflow PreventerValveB

IrrigationPump

Box

Drain Rain Bird® Controller

Water Odyssey™ ControllerAquatic Play Area

p

Rain Bird® Controller

HoldingTankSediment Trap

Pl & S ™ SPl & S ™ SPlay & Save™ SystemPlay & Save™ SystemBudget PlanningBudget Planningg gg g

Play

••Holding TankHolding Tank••Irrigation SystemIrrigation System

Play Equipment and Accessories

Installation of Play Equipment and Equipment and Accessories

SSSummarySummary

•• Site Selection and PlanningSite Selection and Planning•• BudgetingBudgetingg gg g•• Area RequirementsArea Requirements•• Planning for Play and SafetyPlanning for Play and Safety•• Planning for Play and SafetyPlanning for Play and Safety•• Recirculation versus Potable SystemsRecirculation versus Potable Systems•• Borrowing Potable Irrigation Water for Borrowing Potable Irrigation Water for

PlayPlay

Q &Q &Q & AQ & AQQ