Frequently Asked Questions

A splash pad, also known as an aquatic playground, water playground, spray park or splash park, is a recreational area designed specifically for interactive water play. Splash pads improve a public space and provide an ideal setting for family recreation.

Splash pads can drastically vary in size; however, they tend to average 1500-2500 square feet. 

The size of a splash pad is dictated by the expected amount of patrons/users at any given time. A general rule of thumb is to plan for 25 square feet of space per bather or user. If you expect a demand of 50 patrons on the splash pad during peak operating hours, you should plan for your water play area to be approximately 1,250 square feet. We tend to see that many communities underestimate the demand and popularity of their aquatic play facilities and that they wished they had made them larger. 

Depending on the splash pad equipment selection, size, water usage requirements, surfacing selection, installation requirements, etc., spray parks can come in at a wide range of prices. We like to work with municipalities in the early planning and budgeting stages to understand their vision and needs for the spray park. This ensures that we can provide a design that is tailored to their requirements and keeps them within their budget. This “Pre-Design Phase” or “Discovery Phase” is crucial if a budget hasn’t been established yet because we can help them understand costs and what to budget and plan for.

It depends. Your state and/or local municipal codes will dictate whether or not recirculation systems are required. Currently, most states do not require these types of systems; however, in the case of water conservation, it is good practice to design your splash pad with a recirculation system.

Unlike swimming and wading pools, splash pads have no standing water. Therefore, splash pads do not require lifeguards.

Splash pads can be designed for all ages and abilities; however, they primarily attract the ages of 2-12.

Yes. Splash pads can designed to accommodate a wide range of themes. 

The most popular themed splash pad designs tend to revolve around nature, farm, and ocean settings. Other common themes are transportation-based, with fire trucks, trains, airplanes, etc. Sports themes are popular to include in sports complexes. Water play features that resemble local monuments or community icons are commonly included in splash pad designs to embrace a community's local history.

Broom finished, sealed concrete is easiest to maintain and the most cost effective surfacing for splash pads.