Splash Park Design - Great Lakes Parks Training Institute

1 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 ( , 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 .

2 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 Design What is an Aquatic Playground ? Basic overview What is aquatic play Terminology What is an aquatic play feature Why install an aquatic playground Aquatic Playground: T. Terminology i l g A recreational area designed for Aquatic A i Pl Playgroundd (ASLA, (ASLA ASTM). interactive water play. Wet Deck (ASTM). Spray Deck (ASTM). Spray Pool It does not have an open basin of Splash park standing water like a wading pool or Spray Ground swimming gppool. Splash Pad Spray Zone Splash Zone What is an Aquatic Aq atic Pla Play Feature? It is a climb climb-resistant resistant play feature Sprays, Squirts, Mists designed for use in water play environments that that.)

3 Dumps, Shoots, or, Sheets . water. Themed features . l G. ln-Ground . d . (Flush Mount). Interactive Play Above Grade . Theme Design Why Install an Aquatic Playground? Recreational Attraction Alternative to a new swimming pool. pool Safe Play vs wading and swimming pools no standing water More cost cost--effective Installation More cost cost--effective Operation As a Replacement for old Addition to an Existing Facility Wading Pools Forest Grove Aquatic Center - Forest Grove, OR. Photo Courtesy of Counsilman/Hunsaker Associates, Inc. As a Part of a Renovation New Aquatic Center Rio Vista park Pool, San Marcos, TX. Photo Courtesy of Counsilman/Hunsaker Associates, Inc. Beachwood, OH. As a New Aquatic Playground Overview of Topics Site Selection and Planning Budgeting Area Requirements Planning for Play and Safety Recirculation versus Potable Systems Reusingg Potable Water for Irrigation g Q&A.

4 Celebration park , Allen, TX. Planning Considerations Site Selection for Aquatic Playground Footprint . Footprint Environment Communityy Needs Parking Visitor Seating and Shade Demographics Drinking Fountains Next to existing playground Restroom Availability Stand alone Foot and Body Showers Signage g g Trash Receptacles Security Environment Footprint . Approximate Square Shape Est. Number Number of Footage of Play Children p Components 20--30. 20 500 Circle 3-5. 40--80. 40 1,500 Circle 10- 10-12. 70--100. 70 2,500 Circle or 12- 12-15. Square 150--200. 150 5,000 Circle or 20- 20-30. Square 1 child every 20 square foot Parking Shade & Seating Rest Rooms Drinking Fountain Potable Water Signage Showers Trash Receptacles Security Child Security Supervision Security from Vandalism Lights Fence Budgeting for Equipment Cost Budgeting Budgeting g g for Equipment q p Cost Operating system, , Potable or Budgeting for Installation Cost Recirculation?

5 Budgeting for Maintenance Cost Play Feature Type In- In-Ground, Ground Above Grade or a combination? Budgeting for Installation Cost Budgeting B dg ti g ffor Installation I t ll ti C Costt Hardscape . Operating system, , Potable or Recirculation? 6 Reinforced concrete slab Size of the play area Allow 10%- 10%-20% additional paved Availability of services area to capture over over--spray Hardscape Size Si (square ( ffootage). t ). Surfacing Stakeholder Labor Additional Stakeholders Neighborhood Associations Homeowners Associations Local Schools Simple work performed Cleanup Hire Hi a professional f i l construction t ti manager. Budgeting for Installation Cost Budgeting for Maintenance Cost Surfacing . Potable Broom finished concrete Poured in place rubber Recirculation Coating systems for color and or skid Water Quality is Critical to resistance Health Safety Colored Concrete Area Requirements Area Requirements R i l i systems Recirculation Potable Systems Water - minimum 3/4 line at 50 psi Water - minimum 2 2 line at 50 psi Power as required by recirculation Power minimum 120 Volts AC, 20 equipment (pumps) single phase vs 3 phase Amps Equipment Space Reservoir Space Drain to waste - Waste water Drain to waste + Filter Backwash - Waste connection minimum 4 4 line to water connection minimum 4 4 line to sanitary or ?

6 ?? Check local codes sanitary or ??? Check local codes. Water Meter? Water Meter? Planning for Play and Safety Planning your Aquatic Playground to Plan to Maximize the Play Value (Fun!). Maximize the Play Value (Fun!). Plan to Maximize Playy Safety. y Plan for Water Safety. Play Scenario - the grouping of all the EVENTS make- make-up the operation of an aquatic playground. Basically how the aquatic playground operates. A play scenario should be designed to stimulate An aquatic A ti play l area should h ld children's imaginations g as be des designed g ed to tease by well as their senses of sight, creating anticipation and h hearing, i and d touch. t h surprise. i Make a sure u YOUOU can a change a g play p ay Specify fast fast acting . acting solenoids times & scenarios Activators Planning your Aquatic Playground to Maximize Play Safety Age Appropriateness 2-5 Years 5-12 Years 8-12 Year Olds Early Teens All Ages Cryptosporidium Parvum Planning for Water Safety Planning Your Water What is Crypto?

7 Management System W. Water T. Treatment Cryptosporidium parvum is a parasite that Filtration Sand is excreted in the feces of infected Cartridge humans, cattle, and other mammals. UV. Chemicals Acid to balance pH. Chlorine to sanitize Sea Klear Showers and signs Monitoring of water quality and maintenance of water treatment equipment is essential. What To Do/What To Look For What To Do/What To Look For Maintain Water level. Regularly check water clarity. Regularly clean pump strainer baskets. Regularly monitor chlorine and ph levels - a Periodically shock the system. minimum of three times a day. Regularly g y dump p reservoir. Maintain a log book. Regularly inspect for slime or visible bacteria. Regularly clean filter. If there's a Recirculation doubt doubt, vs Potable Systems dump it out! Typical yp Potable System y Cityy Water ((Potable)) System y Rule of Thumb Budget 1/3 - Play Pl Equipment and 2/3 - Accessories Construction Drain and Installation Recirculation System Main Equipment Vault Wet Deck Equipment Room Wet Deck Sediment Trap and Strainer Water Treatment Sediment Trap Vaults and Strainer Recirculation Reservoir Recirculation Reservoir Budget Variables for Recirculation System Recirculation Systems Budget Planning Equipment Room vs Vault Hardscape Construction Play Water Treatment System Recirculation and Equipment and Accessories Distance from Equipment to Play Area Water Treatment Equipment Room Proximity of Services Water, Power, Sewer Vault Installation of Play Equipment q p and Accessories Borrowing g Potable Irrigation System Irrigation Water Backflow Preventer Valve B.

8 Box Irrigation Pump p Aquatic Play Area Water Odyssey Controller Drain Rain Bird Controller Holding Sediment Trap Tank Pl & Save . Play S SSystem Summary Summary Budget g Planningg Site Selection and Planning Play Budgeting g g Holding Tank Equipment and Accessories Area Requirements Irrigation System Planning for Play and Safety Installation of Play Recirculation versus Potable Systems Equipment and Accessories Borrowing Potable Irrigation Water for Play Q&A.