The heat is on across our region, and it’s a good time to remember why spraygrounds and splash pads are high on the list of popular park amenities. From municipal and community park decision makers and operations staff to the communities and neighborhoods they serve, spraygrounds and water parks offer a vast array of benefits for everyone involved.
M2L Associates Principal Michael Mauer said parks and green spaces of all sizes can take advantage of expansive design options that focus on inclusive, interactive experiences.
“From a design standpoint, spraygrounds are budget- and space-friendly options that offer tremendous versatility in materials, water technologies and adaptive play features to accomplish our clients’ vision and goals, “ Mauer said. “From city parks and community playgrounds to mixed-use and urban green spaces, spraygrounds and splash pads can transform public outdoor spaces of all sizes into community hubs that optimize safety, accessibility and connection.”
Safe and accessible for all
Spraygrounds allow kids and families to stay outdoors safely and enjoy urban spaces even during the hottest months of the year, increasing not only the number of park users but also how long they stay. Splash pads feature zero-depth, flat surfaces that accommodate all abilities, even children or adults using wheelchairs, walkers or other devices. Compared with traditional community pools, spraygrounds offer safe water play options for all ages, allowing designers to easily create divided zones (think misters and bubbles for toddlers and water cannons and dumping buckets for older children). With no standing water, parks and communities can operate these water features with minimal staff, liability and maintenance costs.
Enhanced community placemaking
With so many safety and cost benefits, it can be easy to underestimate the community placemaking appeal of spraygrounds. Designing around a central sprayground helps landscape architects and designers define civic spaces as central, vibrant gathering spots where people meet, linger and explore nearby community spaces. With so many color, material and design options, these water features bridge the gap between art and recreation, allowing designers to create water features as artistic centerpieces.
Sustainability benefits galore
For sustainability-focused clients that want the benefits of water play, spraygrounds offer tremendous value. Today’s water conservation and recycling technologies allow designers to create spraygrounds as safe, “smart” systems using recirculating tanks and motion sensors to save on utilities or recirculating systems where backwashed water can be redirected to safely irrigate surrounding landscapes.
Houston-area spraygrounds
M2L Associates has a longstanding partnership with the Houston Parks and Recreation Department that has resulted in more than 120 new, improved or renovated city parks, many of which include this popular water amenity. Of the 232 HPARD parks across greater Houston, 27 feature spraygrounds that are open and free to the public most of the year. Here are five of our favorites that include fun water features:
- Discovery Green Gateway Fountain Located in downtown Houston near the convention center and major sports venues, Discovery Green’s interactive fountain shoots jets of water in arcs up to 14 feet high.
- Emancipation Park in the city’s historic Third Ward features three separate sprayground areas, including directional ground sprays and oversized misting flowers.
- Marian Park in southwest Houston features three individually operated spray zones with shade structures directly alongside the water.
- Edgewood Park in south Houston has geyser spray elements on a brightly colored, concrete star pad surrounded by shaded seating, updated playground features, an exercise station and site trails.
- Shady Lane Park just north of Houston along Halls Bayou boasts nature- and bayou-themed play features centered around water jets shooting from rocks and the simulated water backdrop.
The success of any splash pad or sprayground often hinges on early planning and design, Mauer pointed out. “Whether the project is in a tight urban space surrounded by buildings or a larger city or subdivision park surrounded by green space, talking through the pros and cons of various options is vitally important to long-term success,” he said. “From the simplest designs to more sophisticated creations, spraygrounds are proven winners for our clients across categories.”
Do you have a space that could be revitalized with a central sprayground? Our seasoned experts can help you discover the possibilities.