Project Overview:
The Old Town Aquatic Park, located in Lewisville, Texas, underwent a comprehensive renovation project to revitalize interest and attendance. The project focused on transforming the existing 13,700-square-foot aquatics center, originally built in 2005, into a state-of-the-art interactive spray park with no standing water. The renovation aimed to enhance visitor experience, reduce operation costs, and promote inclusivity through an engaging and nature-themed design.
Challenges Faced:
The decision to renovate the Old Town Aquatic Park was prompted by declining attendance over the years. The park faced additional challenges in 2021, including lifeguard shortages and a Winter Snow Storm. These factors led the city to explore a renovation strategy that would not only address the existing issues but also provide a fresh and appealing attraction for the community.
Renovation Strategy and Benefits:
The city opted to transform the aquatics center into a water playground with no standing water. This approach offered numerous benefits, including an 82% reduction in operation costs, decreased staffing requirements with no lifeguard necessity, reduced water usage, and an inclusive design that eliminated standing water hazards.
Collaboration and Design Selection:
The renovation project was a collaborative effort between the city of Lewisville, Kimley-Horn,Kraftsman Commercial Playgrounds, and Water Odyssey. To ensure community engagement and satisfaction, a master plan design was selected through a social media campaign, allowing community members to vote on their preferred design theme. The nature theme splash pad design emerged as the popular choice over a whimsical theme, reflecting the community's desire for a harmonious integration with the park's surroundings.
Splash Park Features:
The revitalized splash park boasts an array of over 90 Water Odyssey Aquatic Play Products, carefully chosen to provide an engaging and interactive experience for visitors. These features include ground sprays, the Sprig Sprayer, the Cattail Group, the Big Buckets with a 5-Arm Assembly, the Solar Spinner, and the Water Coils. Each feature adds unique elements of fun and excitement to the splash park. To enhance visitor control and engagement, the splash pad can be activated by patrons using the Touch n' go bollard system, allowing them to initiate the water play experience at their convenience. The splash pad's design incorporates painted surfacing, featuring bold pops of color and a captivating and unique aesthetic that complements the nature theme.
Community Reception:
Since the completion of the Old Town Aquatic Park renovation, the community response has been overwhelmingly positive. Residents no longer have to travel to neighboring communities to enjoy a splash park experience, as the revitalized park offers an enticing attraction close to home. The inclusive design and engaging features have breathed new life into the park, reinvigorating interest and creating a vibrant hub of community activity.
