Best Practices for Designing Water Play Areas for All Ages and Abilities
Designing inclusive water play areas presents both a creative and technical challenge for aquatic play designers like Vortex International. These installations must offer safe, stimulating experiences that are accessible to all users, regardless of age, physical abilities, or specific needs. Inclusive design transforms play areas into welcoming community hubs for everyone.
Core Principles of Inclusive Water Play Design
Universal Accessibility
Universal design means creating spaces that can be used by as many people as possible without requiring special adaptations. For water play, this involves integrating features that are accessible to wheelchair users, people with visual or hearing impairments, and families with strollers, right from the design phase.
Sensory Diversity
Sensory water play should engage a variety of senses to create a rich and personalized experience. Tactile, visual, and auditory elements ensure that each user interacts with the space in a way that suits their unique needs and preferences.
Graduated Safety by Zone
Designing progressive play zones with varying levels of intensity allows users to choose their comfort level. Calm areas for toddlers and more dynamic spaces for older children and teens should be clearly defined and secured to maintain safety for all users.
Design Considerations by Age Group
Areas for Toddlers (Ages 0–5)
Water play features for young children must prioritize safety and sensory exploration. Gentle sprays, simple interactive elements, and non-slip surfaces create a safe environment for discovery. Water depth is typically limited to 15 cm or less. Note: our Splashpads® are specifically designed for toddlers with zero-depth layouts.
Zones for School-Age Children (Ages 6–12)
This group seeks more interaction and challenge. Water play structures may include tipping buckets, manual water cannons, and aquatic obstacle courses. Adding educational features related to the water cycle enhances learning through play and encourages a sense of accomplishment.
Spaces for Teens and Adults
Zones for older users feature more dramatic elements like large tipping buckets, trigger-activated jets, and sculptural water features. These areas promote physical activity, energetic play, and social interaction.
Adapting to Different Abilities
Physical Accessibility
Inclusive water play requires gentle ramps, well-placed grab bars, and safe, accessible walking surfaces. Interactive play elements should be positioned at various heights to accommodate users of all abilities.
Sensory Considerations
For users with sensory sensitivities, incorporating tactile signage and visual cues is essential. Floor texture changes, contrasting colors, and sound signals allow for safe and autonomous navigation.
Rest and Observation Areas
Shaded seating zones support users who need frequent breaks and give caregivers comfortable vantage points. These rest areas offer clear views of the play space while keeping families close to the action.
Case Study: Grand-Héron Park, Saint-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier
The city of Saint-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier partnered with Vortex International to develop a Splashpad® at Parc du Grand-Héron, located along the Jacques-Cartier River. This project highlights both inclusive and eco-conscious aquatic play design.
Key Inclusive Features of the Project:
- Two distinct zones for different energy levels and age groups
- A dynamic zone with a water tunnel, geysers, and crisscrossing jets for active social play
- A contemplative area featuring the Low Tide module from the Water Journey™ collection
- A shallow basin that mimics the natural rise and fall of the tides
- Seamless integration with the surrounding natural environment