LASN is a photographically oriented, professional journal featuring topics of concern and state-of-the-art projects designed or influenced by registered Landscape Architects.
Issue link: https://landscapearchitect.epubxp.com/i/701307
(Continued on page 22) p l a y g ro u n d 20 Landscape Architect and Specifier News Eagle Soar Splash Pad at Margarita Park in Temecula, Calif., offers an inclusive and welcoming place where children of all abilities can play, explore and socialize. Playgrounds are an essential part of childhood, fostering a child's physical, emotional, social and intellectual development, but often those opportunities are difficult to find for families with special needs. Combining a zero-depth splash pad with fun elements and interactive stations with kinesthetic play prompts, the Eagle Soar Splash Pad was built to deliver an exceptional play experience in a safe, integrative, and inclusive environment where children with and without disabilities can play together with ease, access, and usability. California Waters of Yorba Linda, Calif., spearheaded the engineering, construction and commissioning of the splash pad through general contractor, Pacific Play Systems of Carlsbad, Calif. David Neault Associates, Inc. of Temecula, Calif., served as the project landscape architect, and a manufacturer from Ashland, Ohio provided conceptual design direction and sprayground equipment. The city of Temecula envisioned a place that would give children with special needs the ability to access a playground and splash pad with little to no barriers while ensuring the safety and comfort of all children. With safety as a concern, the enclosure has only one entry and exit to prevent children from wandering. The 45' diameter splash pad is considered by statute and code neither a fountain nor pool and therefore is permissible to operate, even under the local water district's strict Stage 4 Water Use Restrictions relating to California's long-term drought. With input from the city, community and special needs families, the splash pad manufacturer went through several iterations of the concept until all parties involved were completely satisfied with the final design. The final splash pad has seven types of multi-featured play equipment, including a one-of- a-kind "Rain Tree" at its center. The tree has touch sensors, a tunnel, and a raccoon on top, all designed to make it more interactive. A pair of custom drizzle tables combines the classic fun of the domed drizzle drop element with the interactive fun of pooling water. The water troughs that catch the water from the second drizzle drop dome provide more accessibility by Leanne Harvey, California Waters Where Children Play and Soar Eagle Soar Splash Pad, Temecula, Calif. Above Eagle Soar Splash Pad at Margarita Park in Temecula, Calif., was designed with accessibility in mind. Children with and without disabilities can play together – soar together – in this inclusive area. David Neault Associates provided landscape architecture services; Pacific Play Systems was the general contractor. California Waters provided engineering and specialty contracting services. The equipment supplier doubled as designer for the space, with input from the community.