At the center of the 4,500-square-foot splashpad is the “Famil…
At the center of the 4,500-square-foot splashpad is the “Family Bay,” featuring a bullfrog spray loop, frog and custom rattlesnake that shoots streams of water. These introduce infants and preschoolers to larger water elements through interactive features that allow touching, rotating and moving. The “Action Bay,” targeted toward teens and tweens, is designed to promote social development skills through activities that are high-energy, intensive and collaborative. This area features an interactive wolf, mountain lion and bear water cannons, several cause-and-effect ground sprays and dumping flowers.
Power Play
The “Toddler Bay” offers non-intimidating water effects to p…
The “Toddler Bay” offers non-intimidating water effects to promote cognitive development, sensorial discovery, motor skills development and socialization through interaction.
Power Play
Custom mushrooms are set at a toddler-friendly height so little …
Custom mushrooms are set at a toddler-friendly height so little ones can support themselves while enjoying the various water streams.
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Reduced-consumption nozzles and spray heads help keep water use …
Reduced-consumption nozzles and spray heads help keep water use down, as do touch bollards, which allow users to activate the features only when needed during pre-set operational hours. The stainless steel spray elements and plastics are recyclable at the end of their life spans, and brass spray heads and nozzles contain no lead. The park is irrigated from a waterfeature that traverses the length of the splashpad. To finance the project, voters agreed to a four-year 0.25-cent sales tax increase.
The city of Moore Parks & Recreation Department sought to improve facilities in underserved areas of the community. For this particular site, completed in 2014, officials chose a splashpad with distinct activity bays to not only stimulate and challenge children of all ages, but encourage cross-generational and collaborative play. In total, the park includes 20 aboveground and 15 ground-level spray features.
The site was part of the rebuilding process after a devastating 2012 tornado. Local elementary school students helped choose the forest theme, with its whimsical, giant water leaves and trees, colorful misting cattails and various animal motifs. Tan integrally colored concrete was used on much of the floor to resemble the forest, while a dark brown walking path leads to a blue pond.
Rebecca Robledo is deputy editor of Pool & Spa News and Aquatics International. She is an award-winning trade journalist with more than 25 years experience reporting on and editing content for the pool, spa and aquatics industries. She specializes in technical, complex or detail-oriented subject matter with an emphasis in design and construction, as well as legal and regulatory issues. For this coverage and editing, she has received numerous awards, including four Jesse H. Neal Awards, considered by many to be the “Pulitzer Prize of Trade Journalism.”
