Surfacing is a feature

Surfacing: The Most Untapped Design Feature in Aquatics

While soaring slide towers, giant play structures, and fun spray features definitely add appeal to waterparks and splash pads, surfacing is often overlooked. When the default is concrete, a massive canvas of design potential goes untapped. In fact, aquatic safety surfacing has the potential to become a play feature of its own in any aquatic space. 

Beyond the safety and inclusivity benefits that come with cushioned, slip-resistant, and non-abrasive flooring options, they provide the opportunity to increase overall play value with theming and activities designed into the surface. While these options are limitless, the following are some of our favorite examples where Life Floor transforms the nature of aquatic play.

HOPPING ACTIVITIES 

Clusters or pathways of shapes create hopping activities for guests as they explore fun aquatic spaces. 

SEARCH + FIND 

Our Inlays add theming to all facilities while also creating the potential for guests to search for certain shapes or count how many of each can be found within the floor. 

IMMERSIVE THEMING 

Giant design elements like paw prints, islands, waterways, or lily pads add to theming while creating imaginative, immersive play experiences.

GUIDED PATHS

Wavy curves, paths, or even treasure hunts can lead guests around splash pads as they explore new ways to engage with features. Our expanded Inlay library provides limitless potential to create meandering trails of lily pads, tree stumps, rocks, or sea shells as standard add-on packages to any surfacing design. 

GAMES 

Designing games into the surface has become a popular choice for aquatic facilities. Guests can  explore these features on their own and activity directors can also utilize them as part of a property’s recreational offerings. 

THE FLOOR IS LAVA 

Geometric designs create the potential for guests to invent their own games or activities such as “The Floor is Lava” where they choose to hop across tiles of specific colors while avoiding others. 

IMAGINATIVE PLAY 

When life-sized objects or environments are designed into a space, guests are able to engage in imaginative activities, using the surface as a play feature. 

As we continue to creatively collaborate with our customers and designers, these examples only keep expanding. Exploring surfacing design options has consistently proven to unlock new areas of theming and play potential. These elements can be designed into new facilities but are often a popular choice for retrofits, adding bright color and exciting new elements to refresh existing play areas. 

Interested in exploring these play features as part of an aquatic project? We’re excited to hear your ideas and to start creating some complimentary design options that illustrate the potential of your surfacing.