Spring into play: How to successfully launch your splash pad this season
With warmer weather on the horizon, many communities and municipalities are going to begin preparing to open their splash pads for the season. Before they fully reopen to the public, it’s important to tackle any maintenance that might be required to keep the splash pad safe, functional, and fun for everyone who will use it. Assembling a splash pad maintenance checklist for your own splash pad is a great way to ensure that your spring startup goes smoothly and nothing is overlooked.
Waterplay’s Spring Startup Guide contains tons of informative information and best practices for starting up your splash pad for spring. In addition, Waterplay has outlined a few helpful tips to ensure you have a successful 2025 splash pad season!
The importance of spring maintenance for splash pads
Making sure your community splash pad is safe and in good working order ahead of the spring and summer seasons is crucial for a successful opening. The last thing you want is to not do the required maintenance, only for the splash pad to not work or have faulty equipment on opening day. Creating a splash pad maintenance checklist is the perfect way to make sure any necessary checks and repairs are completed in a timely fashion, and that nothing is overlooked.
Maintenance crews should inspect the splash pad features and systems, checking for any malfunctions or issues that could lead to future breakdowns. Ensuring that water quality is consistent and falls within guidelines, especially for recirculation systems, is essential for keeping kids healthy and safe during the hot summer months. Pro-actively addressing any concerns or issues with the splash pad will also help with energy efficiency by making sure any unnecessary water and electricity usage is mitigated.
 
Essential splash pad startup checklist
When assembling your splash pad maintenance checklist, there are a few key things you’ll want to include. First is an overall inspection of your splash pad. Check for any damage that may have occurred over the winter months to nozzles, play structures, and freestanding features. Keep an eye out for any cracks, wear and tear, or slippery spots that might need to be repaired before the splash pad is opened to the public. Making sure drainage systems are clear of debris and drain properly will keep water flowing efficiently.
Next, you’ll want to make sure that your water treatment system is set up and that your water quality is within health and safety regulations for your area. In some locations, water pipes may have been winterized, so it’s important to flush out all waterlines to ensure that they are clear of any debris and that water flows consistently. Setting up any required chemicals such as chlorine and making sure they are balanced will keep splash pad users safe and healthy once the splash pad has opened to the public. This is especially important for splash pads that utilize a recirculation system, where water is re-treated and re-used. Inspecting filtration and UV disinfection systems prior to opening will also ensure that there are no delays in opening the splash pad up to the public.
Spread the word: getting the community excited
Once you’ve worked through any required maintenance and prep work that might be required before the spring opening of your splash pad, it’s time to get the community excited. With hotter days on the horizon, many kids and families will be eagerly anticipating the splash pad’s opening, so having clear communication regarding opening dates and operating hours is key. Many municipalities display this information on their website and will include it on signage at the splash pad itself.
It’s also a good idea to have a dedicated place where community members can go for any information or updates regarding the splash pad, including scheduled closures, updates due weather, and general information and rules. A great way to really kick off the season is to host a splash pad grand opening. Many communities also opt to offer early access to school and community groups, which can be a great way to rally the community and get people excited for a fun summer at the splash pad.
Final tips for a successful splash pad season
While conducting an initial maintenance check before a splash pad opens for the season helps keep visitors safe and healthy, it’s also important to implement a preventative, regular maintenance schedule too. Regular checks will ensure that any issues are caught quickly and repairs can be completed in a timely manner so kids can maximize their fun! Training a few staff members on water quality and ensuring that daily water quality logs are monitored will help keep the splash pad clean and safe for everyone who visits.
It’s also important to keep track of community feedback regarding the splash pad. Giving them a place to provide feedback, request repairs, and suggest improvements will help ensure that any splash pad concerns that arise can be dealt with in a timely manner.
Reopening a splash pad for the spring season is always exciting. It signals that warmer weather is on the way and the desire for kids to get outside and enjoy fun spaces is high! Taking the time to do a thorough maintenance check of your splash pad before reopening will not only keep your community members safe while they have fun and make a splash but will also set you up for a successful splash pad season!