For more than two decades, the splash pad at JFK Park has been a favorite gathering place for families in Sanger, California. Located in the heart of the park, surrounded by playgrounds, picnic areas, and basketball courts, the splash pad has provided countless opportunities for children to play, cool off, and make lasting summer memories. But after years of use, the well-loved amenity was ready for a refresh.
When the City of Sanger submitted its application for Life Floor's 2025 Make a SPLASH! Grant Contest, the goal was simple: breathe new life into a beloved community space and create an inviting environment for future generations.
In December 2025, that vision took an exciting step forward when Life Floor CEO and Co-Founder Jonathan Keller called Joaquin Zamora from the City of Sanger to share some good news. The city had been selected as the 2025 Make a SPLASH! Need-Based Award winner!
During their conversation, Joaquin explained that he'd first learned about Life Floor through CrisCom, the city's grant manager, who encouraged Sanger to apply. As it turned out, the partnership was an opportunity for both organizations to make a new connection.
"I didn't know the city of Sanger existed until this contest," Jonathan laughed. "And now we're going to partner together and make a beautiful environment!"
That shared excitement set the stage for a transformation that would extend beyond the splash pad itself.
A Thoughtful Design Inspired by Nature and Play
With the grant awarded, the Life Floor Studio began developing a design that would celebrate the character of JFK Park while introducing fresh opportunities for imaginative play.
Led by Kelsi Goss, Life Floor's VP of Design, the team created three custom design concepts for the 1,972-square-foot splash pad. Each incorporated flowing bands of color, interactive play elements, and playful Inlays to encourage movement, exploration, and creativity.
The City of Sanger ultimately selected a nature-inspired design featuring a warm, earthy palette of Olive, Pistachio, Terra Cotta, Mojave, and Sandstone. These colors complement the surrounding park landscape while creating a welcoming space that feels both playful and thoughtfully integrated into its environment.
Rather than following traditional straight tile lines, the design features custom-cut curved edges along alternating color bands, creating an organic, rippling pattern across the splash pad. A trail of bubbles weaves through whimsical bear, oak leaf, and tree stump Inlays, inviting children to discover details as they move through the space. A colorful hopscotch design, numbered one through ten, adds another opportunity for interactive play.
Beyond aesthetics, the new Life Floor surface introduces cushioned, slip-resistant aquatic safety surfacing designed to support safer, more comfortable barefoot play. Manufactured in South Dakota, the tiles feature Life Floor's Ripple texture, bringing together innovative design and performance in a space built for years of community enjoyment.
Bringing the Entire Space Together Through Collaboration
While the splash pad was the project's centerpiece, the City of Sanger wanted the surrounding amenities to feel just as refreshed and connected.
Through a collaborative effort with Life Floor's partner, Modern Recreational Technologies (MRT), the project expanded to include coordinating improvements to nearby walkways and benches. MRT applied Tuff Coat in colors selected to complement the Life Floor design, carrying the cohesive palette from the park's message board area toward the picnic shelter entrance.
The result was a more unified aquatic environment, where the updated splash pad and surrounding spaces feel like part of one intentional design.
Together, the teams transformed the aging splash pad into a refreshed community destination, demonstrating how thoughtful design, quality materials, and strong partnerships can make a lasting difference.
A New Chapter for JFK Park
On June 13, 2026, the City of Sanger officially celebrated the reopening of JFK Park's splash pad with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. City leaders, council members, and local families gathered to experience the revitalized space and welcome back a favorite summer attraction.
What began as a grant application became something much more meaningful: an opportunity to reinvest in a community gathering place and help ensure future generations of Sanger families can keep making memories at JFK Park.
For Joaquin, who expressed his excitement about learning throughout the process on that first phone call, the project represented a new experience and a chance to bring something special to his community.
For the Life Floor team, the project reflects the purpose behind the Make a SPLASH! Grant Contest. Every community deserves access to aquatic spaces that are safe, beautiful, engaging, and designed for joy. By partnering with communities like Sanger, we're helping transform existing amenities into inviting spaces where play and connection can thrive.
And for the families of Sanger, the best part is just beginning: another generation of summer afternoons, splashing feet, and memories waiting to be made.
Could Your Community Be Next?
The transformation at JFK Park is just one example of what's possible when communities and industry partners come together with a shared vision.
Life Floor's 2026 Make a SPLASH! Grant Contest is now open through November 14, 2026!
This year, Life Floor will award two grants: a Need-Based Award, supporting communities looking to improve existing aquatic facilities, and an Inclusive Design Award, recognizing projects that prioritize accessibility and inclusive aquatic play.
Whether your community has an aging splash pad ready for new life or a vision for a more inclusive aquatic environment, we want to hear your story.