By Chris Thomas
Kinsmen Park Splash Pad is a unique, completely custom manufactured splash pad located within Queen Elizabeth Park, in the heart of Edmonton’s River Valley, on the south side of the North Saskatchewan River. This highly visual waterpark is extremely colourful, with spray features uniquely designed and custom manufactured to provide a nature and wildlife theme, reflecting the natural beauty surrounding the park. Visitors get a clear vision of the splash pad’s play area from the high-level bridge crossing the river, where elements such as bears and owls climbing water towers, and buckets designed to look like beehives dropping water on squealing children can all be seen. The customization of this splash pad is credited to attracting thousands of visitors from the community every summer.
Customization meets creativity
When the city of Edmonton embarked on this splash pad proposal, they worked with Park N Play Design consultants, a Canadian-based, organization with offices throughout the country. Project leader Shelley Robinson, a certified inclusive playground designer, an educator, and a self-proclaimed “playologist” at Park N Play Design, met with city representatives and suggested a custom designed splash pad which uses animals, flowers, and bugs to reflect the natural elements in the area.
“The client agreed immediately, so we worked closely with designers and artists to create a splash pad with fun, vibrant, nature themes, and made a one-of-a-kind splash pad experience at Queen Elizabeth Park,” says Robinson. “Our goal was to celebrate the River Valley wildlife along the Saskatchewan River.”
Water Odyssey worked closely with Robinson and her team at Park N Play to design and create honey bears climbing poles, owls sitting on top of barrels, and fox and lynx heads that spray water in bright, fun colours to attract children of all ages.
“The city was very receptive to our concepts and Water Odyssey was a brilliant partner to work with,” says Robinson. “They have creative and talented artists who helped bring our ideas to life. Their design team was able to show us 3D renderings and they were immediately approved.”
Some of the more notable features include a tall pole with an owl perched at the edge of the barrel. There is also a unique “May-pole” which not only sprays water in ribbons, but also offers a spinning capacity where users can rotate the pole to create eye-catching water patterns. A particular custom “May-pole” spins 365 degrees and is topped with a honey bear that looks like it is climbing to the top, as if the bear was in the process of climbing a tree. The splash pad also offers a “spin and spill” water dumping feature, comprised of custom designed beehive buckets that tip over as they fill with water.
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