Generations Park
Blair, Neb.
- Architect/Landscape Architect: JEO Consulting Group
- Aquatic Designer/Aquatic Consultant: JEO Consulting Group
- Pool/Spa/Waterfeature Contractor: Commercial Recreation Specialists
- General Contractor: Sampson Construction Company
- Civil Engineer: JEO Consulting Group
- MEP/lighting Engineer: Alvine Engineering;
High expectations were placed on this spray pad.
It would sit in the context of a sprawling park, which would include a trail system, courts for pickleball and bocce ball and an amphitheater.
Within the property, the spraypark would play an important role, acting as a central focus and point of entry, easily accessed from the parking area and providing a good vantagepoint for assessing the lay of the land. It also would serve as a central hub between the amphitheater, restrooms and the courts. This way, the courts can be used when an event takes place at the amphitheater.
JEO Consulting Group
Going with the flow
To fit the spraypark within its environment and recall a local site, designers chose to develop a creek theme.
Faux rockwork sprays and interactive features include waterfalls, a cascading water table, and spraying stones. The team even concealed the remote activation system for the features within rock elements. A stylized creek runs through the spray pad, made of tan dyed concrete, as a nod to the real-life version nearby.
The designers capitalized on the site’s natural elevation changes to enhance the park. For instance, grade changes helped collect drainage from the sprays to form a stream, providing another play opportunity for children and staying within the nature theme.
Limestone retaining walls used throughout manage the elevation changes while visually meshing with the artificial-rock spray features. The walls also provide added seating around the spraypark’s perimeter.
A stainless-steel hand pump at the rock water table provides the opportunity for children to interact with water in another way.
With the remote systems, users can activate the play features, causing them to run in a programmed sequence for 5 to 10 minutes before shutting down again. This prevents power costs and water loss from occurring when nobody is using the park. Additionally, having the features run in a sequence saves consumption compared to the water usage if they ran simultaneously. If rain is detected, the system will completely shut down, even if somebody activates it.
Energy-saving LED lights were used for the sake of energy conservation. After hours, lights are taken down to the minimum needed for security to further reduce operational costs.
Lighting and sound systems were designed so they would not disturb neighbors, especially at night.
SUPPLIERS:
- Circulation system/gutters/controller/Control System: Vortex International
- Interactive Waterfeatures: Vortex International; IDSculpture; Crystal Fountains
- Custom rock play elements: IDSculpture