The Stellar Stallings Splash Pad

Landscape Architecture by Site Solutions

The Stallings North Carolina splash pad features fountain spheres (Dura Art Stone) constructed of polyester resin, fine aggregates and glass fibers (Glascrete). The flush fountains are from The Fountain People ("Fountain In a Can"). The fountains have stainless steel drain grates (Zurn) with the centers cut out to accommodate the fountain nozzles.

In 2007, the town of Stallings, North Carolina, began developing a new vision for an old and worn out downtown park at the center of town. The park, across from the town hall on Stallings Road, needed a new image, and an exciting and unique feature to draw in locals and passers-by.

Led by the Stallings Park and Recreation Committee, the town staff and City Council came together to develop a master plan for the new park. Given the proximity to downtown and the quasi-urban setting, a more formal character was envisioned for the park, including greens framed by tree-lined walks and arbors with a significant water feature as a centerpiece.

The center water feature delights kids with a random bouncing effect created by three flush jet nozzles lifting through 1.5 inches of pooled water. The fountain's center is surfaced with 'Mesabi Black' and 'Radiant Red' granite. The shallow pool has Mexican beach pebbles mortared into place. The perimeter cast-in-place 'Oblio' trench drain (Iron Age Designs) has a design that suggests ripples forming on water.

This plan included a new band shell, picnic and restroom facilities, a new playground, open grassy areas for play, walks and trails, architectural arbors providing opportunities for shaded seating, and a water feature. The water feature was envisioned as an interactive and architectural fountain, from the gray and red spiral granite center to the twisted spheres at the outer edge, which could serve as a central magnet of activity.

The design team at Site Solutions incorporated a range of design strategies, materials, textures and water elements to create municipal fountain magic. Three vertical jets power the center of the fountain from a shallow pool of tumbled Mexican beach stone. The center water feature delights children with a random bouncing effect, created with three flush jet nozzles lifting through 1.5 inches of pooled water in the center. Spirals of gray and red flame finished granite lead out from the pool, receiving the splash from the perimeter nozzles built into 12 embossed spheres. Between these elements is a ring of 12 more vertical "nozzles in cans." Collectively, these 24 nozzles pump nearly 2,000 gallons per minute of cool water, offering a host of opportunities for interactive play.

Twelve spheres with two-inch diameter water jets circle the perimeter of the splash pad. Between and interior to the spheres are 12 more fountain nozzles. Eight brick seat walls with precast caps edge the fountain perimeter.

The fountain is centered within the plaza, which continues the circular and spiral themes outward in the castings of the trench grates and tree grates, and the mechanics and pump building for the fountain was integrated into one of the picnic shelters near the pool. A bosque of lacebark elms provides shade for the greater fountain plaza and adds to the character of the park, and eight brick seating walls with precast caps surround the edge of the fountain area, providing worn out parents and babysitters with places to sit and rest.

The splash pad is designed with a zero depth base to minimize chances for injury during active play. The splash pad is available from early spring through Labor Day, but the city will keep it operating as long as weather permits. Even during the cold months of the testing phase, children could not resist getting into the fountain and trying to dodge the jets.

Although the fountain normally does not run after dark, it can be lit for night events.

Stallings Town Park & Fountain
Building Architecture: WHN Architects
Design Team: Site Solutions
Fountain & Splash Pad: Southern Pools & Spas
Fountain Equipment & Design Support: The Fountain People
General Contractor: Southside Constructors
Nozzle Grates: Zurn
Plumbing, Mechanical & Electrical Design: Sutton-Kennerly & Associates
Principal in Charge: Phillip Hobbs
Project Manager: Kevin Gorman
Trench & Tree Grates: Iron Age Designs