"Park visitation often suffers during hot, humid Cincinnati summers. The Park District staff investigated ways to enhance our more developed parks to make visitation more desirable in the summer," explains Robert Kline, Park District Development Director. "Playgrounds with water features proved to be an immediate success at two other parks so the idea was incorporated into recent renovations at Winton Woods." As a result, the design criteria specified the creation of an abundance of excitement and activity, a waterplay area to attract visitors to the harbor during hot summer months, a division between wet and dry playground areas, and avenues for nature programs and educational displays.

The central design philosophy developed between the Park District and VLA was that the play areas would be an aesthetic, interactive addition to the harbor area of the park, for many people of all ages to enjoy. Several key elements were integrated in this effort: Aesthetics and focal points; A variety of intriguing activity areas for different age groups; Safety/no standing water; Seating for adults; Shade; Educational opportunities; Incorporation of nature artwork that was utilized as a theme throughout the harbor area.

The final design addresses these elements and satisfies the specified design criteria. The project occupies approximately 40,000 square feet, with a walkway along the central axis of an existing shelter building separating the wet playground from the dry area.

VLA worked with Aquatic Design & Engineering in Monteverde, Florida, as a consultant for the design of the wet playground. The wet playground provides a number of cute and entertaining components. Parky's Ark is a central feature, with eighteen whimsical animal characters that squirt and spray water, access within the ark, and a waterslide exit. The artwork of Charlie Harper, a popular local artist whose designs include native plants and animals created with simple geometric shapes, was the inspiration for the creatures throughout the play areas. And Parky, the raccoon who is the park mascot, is prominent at the top of the ark.

A colorful snake stretches 180 feet through the wet playground. It incorporates ground level water jets within the spots along his body, which are part of its design. The jets are computer-controlled and can be sequenced in a variety of patterns, from chasing water spouts to intermittent blasts, from the elevated head or tail. A frog sits across from the snake's mouth-- both of which shoot sprays of water at each other in a "showdown."

Separate areas, like the beautiful one-dimensional butterfly, are designed for smaller tots, to avoid physical involvement with older, larger children. Water sprays within the butterfly design simulate flapping wings. Above them, a large umbrella protects the children from the sun. A rainbow and other smaller features, like a turtle and bunny, shoot small sprays of water from various points along their bodies. Surrounding these features is a rubberized safety surface, to add color and provide protection during falls.

A primary design feature of the wet playground is no standing water. Water sprays onto the surface, drains toward catch basins, and runs through pipes back to a central underground collection tank, measuring 12' x 12' x 12'. The water is pumped into an equipment room inside the building where it is filtered, treated with chemicals, and recycled. The valves that control the spray jets are located within the Ark. The design of the wet area reduces the risk (and liability) of drowning, and dramatically improves play value by continuously recirculating water via jet action and sprays.

Spectators of the wet playground can escape the sun and heat and sit on a large wooden deck, strategically elevated to enhance views of the children and placed under an old oak tree that provides shade. The tree was retained as part of the design specifically for this purpose and to enhance aesthetic appeal. Handicap access is provided into the wet play area and onto the elevated deck.

Ornamental metal fencing completely encloses the wet area, providing one entry/exit to enhance safety and security. A queue line is provided for crowd control, and an attendant area is designed to be a potential site for money collection (There is no additional entry fee at present).

In the dry playground, play area capacity is maximized by clustering equipment versus utilizing individual pieces, such as swings, which necessitate more space. This play area can accommodate over 100 children with a variety of challenges designed from toddlers through teenagers. The active play area is paved with a 2-inch thick, rubberized safety surface, which cushions falls and minimized maintenance associated with mulch or sand.

Plenty of seating is provided for adult visitors through the use of seat walls with plantings behind them, as well as traditional benches. The seat walls and plantings provide a sense of enclosure, control and separation from the adjacent bike and pedestrian trail, while satisfying seating requirements. Trees on the south side of the seat walls provide shade.

The design of educational display panels matches the play equipment. The displays present information on the park, resident ecological systems, local flora and fauna, etc. A 20-foot diameter umbrella provides additional shade in these areas. A 3,500 square foot amphitheater is included to serve as a stage for educational programs or informative presentations. The stage is included to serve as an area for educational programs or informal presentations. The stage area -- paved with 4" thick granite paving -- is located at the entrance to the pavilion. The paving is reflective of a compass and contains carvings of native animals within the directional arrows. Both the leaf pattern and the animals are the artwork of Charlie Harper. Handicapped accessibility is designed into all areas of the project. The play equipment has a ramp and transfer platforms to enable access to most of the activities.

"I grew up playing in this park as a child. Envisioning the playground through the eyes of that child made the project that much more rewarding," remarks Todd Wales, VLA Project Manager. He continues, "It was obvious to me from the very beginning that this project would be a great success. With the Park District's vision and the efforts of a great team, the playground came together to be every kid's dream." lasn