With boundless fun and unique play experiences in mind, parks all over the country have enhanced guest experience by theming their splash pads. These unique designs help facilities stand out while inspiring the imaginations of all who visit them. From spray feature selection to custom flooring solutions, splash pads are telling stories from coast to coast. Let’s dive right into some of the most iconically creative ways cities are showcasing their aquatic amenities!
GAMIFYING THE SURFACE
The thrills of a splash pad don’t just have to stop at spray features and play structures! Cities are also opting to include activities on the surfaces of their splash pads. Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre adds play value with hopscotch while Forest Park Aquatic Center features a bold Candyland-like game board. At John Anderson Park, guests are invited to follow along a treasure hunt trail and Cedarcrest Park’s themed lily pad hopping paths provide a themed activity. At all of these facilities, flooring serves as an integral part of the splash pad experience. Guests love engaging with these details.
DESIGNING LARGER THAN LIFE THEMES
Some splash pads feature bold themes to fully immerse guests. At Manor Field, Waterplay’s sports-themed spray toys tie in beautifully with an athletic field designed out of Life Floor. At Westfield Memorial Pool Complex, giant octopus tentacles swirl around and through spray features while the Marine Inlay collection provides additional underwater accents. Blue Surf Bay Waterpark takes a different approach to aquatic theming, using a more abstract triangle gradient of Life Floor. The flooring even inspired the facility to extend the geometric pattern up the walls, creating a cohesive design throughout the space. At North Mecklenburg, giant lily pads are sprinkled across the splash pad, creating a play environment where guests can imagine what it might feel like to be a frog. All of these designs bring a sense of fun and whimsy, shaping unique experiences.
FEATURING LOCAL CULTURE
Many parks are designing splash pads that tie into their local natural environment or other regional features, such as industries unique to their area. Handy Park, located in a suburb of Detroit, showcases a car-themed splash pad with a simple square Life Floor pattern, allowing the features to stand out. James F. Holland Memorial Park, located along Florida’s coast, features a curvy beach-themed floor with sculptural sea creatures and palm trees to match. These creative designs not only reflect community culture but also make each splash pad a memorable destination for families and visitors alike.
SHOWCASING CITY LOGOS & BRANDING
Some cities show pride for their local communities by including logos on the surfaces of their splash pads. Life Floor’s unique custom cutting abilities make it possible to create exact replicas of these graphics, allowing parks to shine with a touch unique only to their facilities. At Andrew Belle Splash Pad and Wells Park, two of our Make a Splash! Grant Contest winners, logos add regional flair. Leesburg’s intricate logo shines at Rogers Park by utilizing Life Floor Murals to achieve a highly detailed level of precision. At The Grove Cove, a custom maple leaf Inlay gives a nod to the location of their aquatic facility, Maple Grove. We’re happy we can help parks showcase their cities through projects like these!
No matter the method of customizing their splash pads, we admire the creativity that parks & recreation departments are bringing to their local cities for all residents to enjoy!
Looking to create a uniquely designed splash pad for your facility? Our in-house Studio Team is happy to dream up some concepts.