MAKING A SPLASH

An inclusive and inspiring collaboration, this pool-to-splash-pad renovation sets the stage for great water play value.

Like many municipalities throughout Australia with aging aquatic facilities, the municipality of Tuncurry in regional New South Wales had a decision to make; undergo costly upgrades to their existing public pool at Vincent Fazio Park, or reimagine the space with consideration to the needs of their growing community.

With a vision to create a space that would be a social and recreational hub for the community, Council consulted with the public and, based on their feedback, made the decision to close Tuncurry Pool and reimagine the space as a water playground.

Unanimous on all sides was the hope that this space would be accessible to all members of the public. Understanding the key play and design elements the public wanted to see in the aquatic space, Council worked with water play equipment specialists Waterplay^®, through their Australian supplier ParkEquip, to provide the splash pad features and procure Life Floor aquatic surfacing.

Free to the public, this reimagined, zero-depth, inclusive splash park now features vibrant ocean-inspired theming in blues and beiges, with fun pops of colour that create an inviting play backdrop in this seaside community. In the centre of the space, a large, multi-level slide tower serves as the main attraction. Complete with double slides, water cannons and a large, translucent splash bucket, the activity tower attracts adventurous water-players of all ages and abilities. And, thanks to a transfer station at the main entry point, is accessible for all.

The splash pad surface features Life Floor aquatic surfacing. Continuing the shoreline beach theme, this cushy tile surfacing acts as a supplement to the exciting, above-grade water play features, encouraging kids to crawl through water tunnels, roll around on the splash surface over or through water elements, or sit directly on the padded surfacing as water splashes around them. Wheelchair friendly, the smooth, even surface and well-spaced water play elements encourage all splashers with diverse mobility needs into the space.

“The water park has certainly achieved its design vision of providing a facility that will improve the social wellbeing of locals and visitors to the region,” claimed Dr David Gillespie, Federal Member for Lyne, NSW, Australia. “Providing inclusive recreational spaces for whole-of-community use is so important.”

This project was made possible with funding from the Australian Government, with the remainder of the project funded by MidCoast Council and developer contributions. Making the transformation from a pool to a zero-depth splash pad, Vincent Fazio Park has become an inclusive and accessible place for all ages and abilities to enjoy. With lower operating costs year over year, this facility is a huge win for the whole community of Tuncurry.

PROJECT PARTICULARS

COMPANY Waterplay^®
CLIENT Midcoast Council
LOCATION Tuncurry, New South Wales
SURFACING Life Floor
SUPPLY & INSTALL ParkEquip