Summers are all about the sun. Some prefer to embrace the sun to get the perfect sun-kissed tan while others love to beat the heat by heading down to the nearest beach or waterpark. Waterparks are an ideal place to hang out as it has attractions suited for all age-groups. One of the most popular waterpark attractions is the Aquatic Play Units or the Aquatic Playgrounds. They are an upgrade from the plain shallow depth pools and designed for interactive water play thanks to the combination of ground sprays and water features such as buckets, misters, or slides.
Why are Aquatic Playgrounds Better?
Low space requirements: An aquatic playground can be as small as a 51 sq ft deck area surrounded by a pool size of 25′ x 36′. Depending on the number of features you wish to include, the size occupied is very less. This makes an aquatic playground a possibility within community centers, parks, or even daycares.
Safe and Hygienic: In an aquatic playground, there are ground sprays and other water playground equipment that keep the water in circulation. So there is no fear of standing water and algae or microbes breeding inside. Moreover, the water is pushed via pumps and it runs through multiple filters, keeping the impurities out.
Interactive: Instead of splashing around in a pool the children can play with the innumerous water features such as the deck jets, bubblers, tipping buckets, splash zones, etc. The more kids playing at a time, the more excitement increases, and opportunities for new friendships blossom. With integrated kiddie racer slides, you can have parents inside playing with their kids as well.
Cost-effective: Instead of spending on club membership or paying for a day at the community swimming pool, you can opt for a day pass at the nearest waterpark, and hence the complete family can enjoy it.
Skill Development: When children play with aquatic play equipment like slides, spray jets, and bollards they develop optimal gross and fine motor skills by themselves. The children hold onto things, jump around and move skillfully, thereby sharpening their existing abilities & developing new skills.
Things to consider before creating an aquatic playground?
There are a lot of factors involved when choosing the right kind of aquatic playground or creating a customized one as per your requirements. Working with a certified waterpark manufacturer will streamline the process and make the project a complete breeze. Understanding the below factors and having their answers will speed up the process of finalizing the design and help you move on to the execution part.
Budget
The first roadblock in any water park attraction project is the overall budget. Having a clear idea of the project budget helps you determine the size of your aquatic playground and the different features you can include in it. Overall project budget needs to factor in the following costs along with the cost of the playground itself:
- Land value (if you are buying a new plot for installing the playground)
- Labor cost
- Additional Amenities (shade structures, pavements, tables/benches for people to sit, etc.)
- Permit and licensing costs
- Operation costs (Utilities, staff salary, maintenance, etc.)
Available Space
“The bigger; the better.” Every waterpark owner wishes to get the most bang out of their buck but space constraints stop them from going for the most expansive water park designs. Instead of a simple splash pool, an aquatic play unit requires access to plumbing, electricals, dedicated water supply, filters, pumps, and pathways for easy access. These things require their own space and additional construction costs. Moreover, you need to ensure there is enough clearance between the playground and surrounding elements. Before going ahead with the designs, it is very important to know your space constraints. This way you can choose the right set of features that make optimum use of the available space.
Features to include
An aquatic water park can be created with a few sprinklers & fountains and you can build upon the initial design with advanced features such as bollards, water cannons, jets, bubblers, etc. You can have intelligent valves that alter the water pressure to create different streams of water. For space constraints, you can have multiple tiered play units or implement smarter foot traffic management systems. Since most of the audience is toddlers and young kids, you can have light features and bright colors to make the rides look attractive from far. You can even include water play equipment based on the existing theme of your waterpark
Safety
When it comes to creating rides or attractions for young audiences, safety is another factor that you need to keep in mind. You need to ensure the pool and deck surfaces are not slippery or smooth enough to cause kids to slip and fall when covered with water. Similarly, the units and features should not have any sharp edges that can cause nicks or cuts when brushed against. Similarly, the playground design should be so that kids cannot get stuck anywhere and in the case of someone getting stuck, any adult can access the area without much trouble. Any injury is a liability as it can spell trouble for the waterpark owner.
Audience
Even though the aquatic playgrounds are aimed towards kids, you can have age-specific aquatic playground equipment based on the age group of the majority. Infants and toddlers like to play in shallow pools with low water pressure water features while slightly older kids would prefer playing with fountains, jet spray, and water cannons. Similarly, toddlers require constant adult monitoring, so the playground design needs to be so that the kids remain within the vision of their wards. You can have separate zones of each age group or have a mixed play area for more inclusive entertainment.
Materials used
Most waterpark attractions and rides are made of either corrosion-free stainless steel or PVC as they are very durable. However, depending on the placement of the playground, steel can heat up, unless covered in a protective coating, and PVC can lose sheen over the years. Moreover, the surfaces need to be coarse enough to enhance grip without causing abrasion when slid over.
Wrapping Up
Whether you’re looking to upgrade an existing aquatic park or you’re in the planning phases for a new water park, it’s critical to have a clear plan of action on hand. Additionally, it is crucial to hire a credible water Slides Manufacturer known for the quality, durability, and innovative fun their designs bring to any water park. The aquatic playground unit design you choose should reflect the deep understanding of the audience’s likes and dislikes.