City Park Splash Pad

Project Details

The City of Commerce, a tight-knit community in Northern Texas, is home to many active families. After years of use, the beloved neighbourhood pool had to be closed due to age and maintenance issues. With the old pool out of commission, the city recognized the need for a safer, more sustainable aquatic play space. This led to the transformation of the outdated pool into a vibrant, zero-depth splash pad—an example of how municipalities are shifting from costly, outdated pools to more environmentally-friendly, cost-effective, and safer aquatic facilities.

The city took action to bring a brand-new aquatic facility to the community, reimagining the space with a colourful, three-ring design and age-appropriate play zones. Thoughtfully placed water features for different ages and abilities encourage fun and interactivity for everyone looking to stay cool in Commerce. Installed in early 2023, the splash pad opened just in time for the summer season. Families eagerly gathered to enjoy the vibrant, inclusive space, making both big and small splashes.

The shift from a traditional wading pool to a dynamic, zero-depth splash pad highlights how modern water features not only offer engaging play but also incorporate sustainable water management practices that benefit both the environment and the community.

The Challenge

With the closure of the old neighbourhood pool years prior, the community was in serious need of a fun and safe place for families to enjoy the Texas heat. An inclusive space with engaging activities for all ages and accessibility for everyone was essential for this splash pad. The client’s vision was to incorporate water features that complemented the surrounding neighbourhood while also introducing a vibrant pop of colour to attract families from across the city. Other essential needs included the strategic placement of shade in and around the splash pad area to protect visitors from the heat, as well as a dry, central space with good sightlines for parents to watch their children play. The vision was clear: the community needed a new aquatic facility that was safer, cost-effective, and built to stand the test of time. This transformation from a once-aging pool to a state-of-the-art splash pad perfectly aligned with these goals.

The Solution

Collaborating closely with the client and adhering to the seven principles of universal design theory, Waterplay’s expert design and specification team worked through several design iterations before landing on the perfect choice for City Park. Drawing inspiration from a Venn diagram, the splash pad was conceptualized to include three distinct, spaced-out play zones, with sidewalks connecting all directions to a central dry space, providing parents with optimal sightlines to watch their children play and explore. A visual of the entire site layout was provided early in the project, offering the client an all-inclusive view of the space and insight into where amenities, such as sidewalks, shade, and water features, would be placed.

The team took the original wading pool’s location and reimagined it as a zero-depth splash pad, ensuring the design would enhance play value while managing water use efficiently. While shading elements were not provided by Waterplay, the design phase helped position them correctly throughout the site, ensuring adequate coverage and avoiding placement near plumbing lines.

By thoroughly understanding the client's needs, the Waterplay team successfully delivered a seriously fun solution for this lively community.

The Implementation

At this stage of the project, Waterplay was on standby to provide any necessary support for the client. The splash pad features made their way through the Wekid Manufacturing shop floor, Waterplay’s sister company, where they underwent welding, polishing, powder coating, and final assembly, ensuring they were ready to make a big splash in Texas.

Installed in spring 2023, the space was transformed into an architectural marvel, featuring a nature-inspired three-ring design, vibrant colour pops, and a thrilling atmosphere that quickly drew residents from across the city to experience the new aquatic play area. The design focused on three distinct aquatic zones, each offering unique play value, allowing children of all ages and abilities to explore and interact. Waterplay understands the importance of creating spaces that empower developing minds and bodies to test their limits safely, and these action zones inspire Waterplayers to choose their own adventures and push boundaries.

Replacing the outdated wading pool, this modern splash pad now serves as a sustainable, inclusive space that brings families together for fun, safe water play. Strategically placed push-to-start activators ensure water flows only when kids are actively playing, eliminating waste and maximizing efficiency. When a zone is unoccupied, the water simply doesn’t flow. This eco-conscious design allows the City of Commerce to provide a fun, interactive experience while conserving water. The city has not only revitalized the area but also created a community-centered aquatic facility that’s both fun and environmentally friendly.

Development & Discovery Zone

A space meant for thoughtful and contemplative play that moves at a mindful pace. Throughout this play zone at City Park, you will find tall water features from the Grasslands Collection that replicate the beauty of nature, with a bright yellow flower, gentle raining leaves, and a colourful dragonfly and butterfly that produce soft water effects. Surrounded by Lily Pads with custom graphics, Surf Stones, and Puddles, this area creates a relaxing play experience.

Exploration Zone

Play, dump, and splash – this zone is designed for little Waterplayers and their developing, curious minds. Serving as a stepping stone between the discovery and adventure areas, you’ll find lower-flowing features that stimulate thinking and discovery with smaller, more subtle splashes. City Park has incorporated a variety of features perfect for this zone, from a Waterways Waterfall cascading water through playful, interactive weirs, to Fox Fellows that offer 360° rotation sprays, along with various other small features that encourage water fun and exploration. You’ll also notice the Aqualume Soaker in this space. As a taller feature, it provides dynamic spills and splashes, gradually preparing little ones for more exhilarating play features as they grow.

Adventure Zone

Offering more exhilarating features, this zone is designed to create big splashes and non-stop activity. This fast-paced play area not only encourages quick thinking and promotes physical movement but also energizes the senses and creates excitement for older Waterplayers. City Park’s splash pad includes an extremely fun, nature-inspired Activity Tower equipped with a bright red slide and safety landing mat in its adventure zone. Connected water features provide playful sprays and splashes that encourage high energy and continuous excitement throughout this adventurous tower, adding to the fun and thrill of this play area.

Within each zone, you’ll find Waterplay Sprout activators, on-demand button activators designed to optimize water use and maximize play value. Play features throughout each individual zone will come alive at the touch of a button and provide the perfect solution for reducing water consumption while other areas are unoccupied. While creating this magnificent splash pad, safety was always top of mind. From the splash pad features and sidewalk layout to seating placements with clear sightlines and fencing that surrounds the entire park, Waterplay and its partners consistently deliver best practices to ensure everyone’s safety.

The Outcome

From a neighbourhood space desperately in need of attention to a community longing for a safe and inclusive place to cool down, this architectural beauty has checked all the boxes. Revitalizing outdated pool spaces like this has become an increasingly popular way for municipalities to reinvigorate run-down areas, transforming them into vibrant, inclusive destinations that bring communities together.

The new splash pad has quickly become a cherished hub, bringing families together in a space where children can explore, socialize, and develop essential cognitive and social skills. With its striking design, thoughtfully placed water features, and focus on safety and accessibility, City Park has been transformed into a vibrant, inclusive destination for all ages and abilities. The distinct play zones offer aquatic fun for everyone while encouraging skill development in a safe, engaging environment. This revitalization has revived the community’s spirit, offering an engaging, eco-conscious, and completely free space for families to enjoy.

City Park now perfectly reflects the vision of a truly inclusive space, designed with everyone in mind. From toddlers discovering gentle water sprays to older kids taking on dynamic and adventurous features, the splash pad delivers unforgettable water play experiences for all. It has quickly become a beloved spot where laughter and excitement fill the air, and where children build essential skills through play. The City of Commerce has done an incredible job of providing its residents with a fun-filled aquatic space that brings people together and celebrates community.

Project partners:

• City of Commerce

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