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Revitalizing Your Park: What to Consider When Converting a Wading Pool to a Splash Pad

Posted by waterplayAdmin on December 16, 2024

When exploring ways to upgrade and modernize their recreational spaces and facilities, one area that municipalities should explore is the revitalization of outdated wading pools into accessible, inclusive splash pads. In general, splash pads offer many benefits, one being a safer, more engaging water play experience that encourages community members to come together and have fun. Often boasting fewer maintenance costs and concerns, FUN BUiLDS such as splash pads are a terrific way to inject fun into the community.  

However, making the transition from a wading pool to a splash pad isn’t a simple process – it requires careful planning, budget considerations, and a solid understanding of every step involved. If your municipality is looking at replacing a wading pool with a splash pad, we’ve put together this blog post to help you understand the key factors to consider and help guide you through the entire process.  


1. Revitalizing Your Park: Assess Community Needs & Usage

Planning is crucial in any project, so it’s important to assess if a splash pad is the right fit for your community before you start. Not only will this ensure that the new facility is something that community members and park-goers will be excited about, but it will also help you support the long-term goals of your park and keep people coming back for years to come. 

  • Who Will Use the Splash Pad? Will the splash pad be a common place for all members of the community to come together? Or will it be geared to specific groups within your community, such as families with small children, individuals with physical or cognitive challenges, or active seniors.  

  • How Often is the Current Wading Pool Used? Understanding the current demand for a feature like a wading pool is crucial to understanding the need for the upgrade to a splash pad. If a wading pool is in high demand, what about it keeps people coming back and how can that interest be translated into a new splash pad? If your wading pool isn’t being utilized, look at what it might be lacking and how a splash pad could help bring something new and exciting to the community. 

  • Are There Safety Concerns? Wading pools often have standing water that can pose a safety hazard. Splash pads help to eliminate this concern by providing a safer water play experience for children and reducing the need for lifeguards.  

 

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2. Budgeting for the Transition 

If you’re looking to replace a wading pool with a splash pad, having an idea of the costs involved and building a budget around those details is essential for a successful project that will inject fun and play into your community. Costs will vary based on factors such as the complexity of the design, what preparation is needed for the site, and the scale of the overall project, so taking the proper steps when it comes to planning will help the entire project go smoothly.  

Initial Costs 

There is lots to consider when it comes to determining the initial costs that come with installing a splash pad in your community. First, you’ll want to consider the size of the area, how many water features you’ll want and the materials that will be required to install them. The installation process will come with its own set of costs that will typically include things like infrastructure upgrades needed for water or electrical systems, and the installation of the splash pad features themselves. When working with Waterplay, our expert Design and Specifications team will help you create the perfect splash pad design for your community!  

Ongoing Maintenance Costs 

In general, splash pads can be a huge asset in a community as they often come with lower operating costs. Water treatment systems for splash pads are typically simpler and more affordable. Additionally, splash pads often utilize water recirculating systems which reduce the need for constant refills. This too helps keep overall water costs down, making splash pads a more sustainable, cost-effective, and most importantly, fun, long-term investment.  

While splash pads are often low maintenance, you do still have to keep in mind that there will be some ongoing maintenance that is required to ensure that your splash pad stays safe and functional for everyone in your community to enjoy. Don’t forget to factor in costs such as annual winterizations and spring startups in certain geographic locations, and the general upkeep of maintenance features such as pumps and water features.  

Funding and Grants 

Many municipalities rely on external funding to help support the cost of splash pad installation, especially in smaller communities that might not have that sort of funding readily available. Depending on your project, funds or grants may be available to you on the municipal, provincial/state, or federal level. In addition, many local businesses or civic organizations may be interested in partnering with the municipality to sponsor splash pad features or help contribute to the funding in exchange for branding opportunities. This is a great opportunity to get the community involved in the entire project! 

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3. Site Selection, Infrastructure Assessment, and Demolition 

When it comes to determining whether the place where the existing wading pool resides will be able to accommodate the new splash pad, there are a few key factors to take into consideration. First, you’ll want to ensure that the existing space and utilities are going to be able to support a splash pad. Here are a few things to consider: 

  • Adequate Space: Ensure that the current location is big enough to accommodate the splash pad design you’ve envisioned. If the space isn’t large enough, consider other areas within the park or recreational facility where a splash pad could be integrated.  

  • Water and Electrical Infrastructure: A reliable water supply and drainage system, as well as electrical connections for pumps and lighting are essential to the day-to-day operations of a splash pad. Be sure to confirm that the site you have chosen can support these needs. If not, you’ll need to arrange for the necessary upgrades.  

  • Accessibility: Ensuring that your splash pad is accessible to all park-goers is crucial for the overall success of the project. FUN BUiLDS community, so taking all community members into account is incredibly important. Utilizing features such as accessible paths, adjustable spray features, and seating areas for parents and caregivers will ensure that your splash pad is accessible for everyone, from small children to active seniors to individuals with physical and cognitive challenges.  

  • Safety is Key: Splash pads should be designed with safety in mind! Creating a splash pad with non-slip surfaces, appropriate water spray heights, clear boundaries and sightlines, and supervision areas is essential to ensure your splash pad is a safe environment for children and families to explore, create, and have fun.  

When it comes to the demolition of an existing wading pool, it is important to understand that demolition costs will vary. Creating a realistic budget for this step in the process will help keep the overall project running smoothly. Be sure to factor all associated costs into your budget before getting started to ensure that you have minimal hiccups in the overall process.  


4. Design Considerations 

Designing your splash pad might be the most fun part of the entire process, aside from seeing your finished design come to life! A well-designed splash pad can significantly enhance your park by providing a fun and engaging environment for residents and visitors, so don’t be afraid to let your creativity run wild! Here are a few design elements to keep in mind during the design process: 

  • Water Features: Splash pads can feature a wide variety of different water features from fountains and jets to water tunnels and interactive spray elements. Make sure to choose features that will reflect the community's needs and the available space. When working with smaller spaces and budgets, consider choosing water features that will maximize your splash pad’s impact and emphasize fun.  

  • Themes: Integrating a theme into your splash pad design can be a fantastic way to connect it to your local municipality. For example, a nature-themed design can help tie a splash pad to the surrounding park environment, while other themes can help link a splash pad to other unique aspects of a community. Theming your splash pad can also make it more engaging and visually appealing to children.  

  • Target Age Group: This is where understanding who will be using the splash pad is crucial! If your primary audience is small children, then opting for gentle water features with low-pressure sprays will help make the splash pad accessible to younger audiences. If the goal is to make the splash pad a place that everyone can enjoy, consider adding in more dynamic elements such as water cannons or interactive water jets to cater to older audiences.  

  • Integration with Park Amenities: If you’re adding a splash pad into an already established park space, you want to ensure that it will blend seamlessly in with its surroundings. Be sure to factor in other park features such as playgrounds, walking paths, seating areas and restrooms. Taking the time to thoughtfully plan out the project will ensure that the entire park feels cohesive and that users can easily transition between spaces to maximize their fun!  

 


5. Permitting and Regulatory Compliance 

Before getting started on the installation of your new splash pad, ensure that it complies with local regulations, safety standards, and building codes. Splash pads are often subject to health and safety regulations, especially surrounding water quality and sanitation.

Taking the time to ensure that you have the right permits and that your splash pad meets the necessary requirements will help ensure that the entire installation process can go ahead as smoothly as possible and will encounter minimal delays.  


6. Community Engagement and Communication 

Getting the community involved and excited about your splash pad is one of the most important parts of the entire process. After all, the community is who will be using and benefiting from the splash pad for years to come. Make sure you take the time to gather input from community members and where possible, let them help guide you through the design and implementation of the project. Embracing their suggestions and feedback will help ensure that the splash pad meets the community’s needs and expectations. Here are a few ways to generate interest and gather feedback: 

  • Public Meetings or Surveys: Consider hosting public meetings or conducting surveys to gather feedback from community members on the design, features, and overall vision for the splash pad. This will allow the community to have a voice in the project and can help increase support.  

  • Community Involvement: FUN BUiLDS communities, so getting your community involved is crucial to the overall support of the project! Try running a community-driven fundraising initiative or get local businesses and influential people involved to help bolster excitement and drive support.  

  • Ongoing Communication: Keep your community updated! Leverage local media, social media platforms, and public notices to help keep your community up to date on the splash pad’s progress. Being transparent in your communication will help to manage expectations and will keep everyone in the loop about timelines and any disruptions or delays that might occur.  

  • Grand Opening Celebration: Once your splash pad is complete, it’s time to celebrate! Host a grand opening to create excitement and allow residents and community members to see the benefits of the new splash pad first-hand. Use this opportunity to highlight and thank prominent sponsors or members from the community who worked to champion the park throughout the entire process.  

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Replacing an existing wading pool with a splash pad is an excellent way to revitalize a park and create safe, engaging FUN BUiLDS for your community. Through thoughtful planning, input from the community, and attention to detail, a splash pad can become a valuable asset that can enhance your pack system and provides a safe, accessible, and inclusive environment for families, children, and people of all ages.

Taking the steps above into consideration, you can ensure that the transition is a smooth one and that your splash pad will be a cherished feature in the community for years to come!  

Start a Revitalization Project with Us!