Last week, the Landscape Structures Jr. Play Team gathered at the Central Park Splash Pad in Delano, Minn., for an event with one simple goal: to have fun together.
As children chased beach balls and splashed through various spray features, something meaningful was happening: new friendships were forming. And not just among team members, but between family members as well.
A Place Where Everyone Belongs
Sometimes the best examples of inclusive play happen when kids simply get to be kids.
The Central Park Splash Pad offered more than a way to cool off—it provided a welcoming environment that helped everyone feel comfortable from the moment they arrived.
A fenced perimeter gave caregivers added peace of mind while children explored independently. The splash pad’s hard, flat surfacing made it easy for children using mobility devices to move throughout the space, and water-friendly wheelchairs were available for families who needed them. Together, these thoughtful details created an environment of ease and safe exploration.
One parent shared what many families were feeling throughout the evening: the event felt like a safe space where their children could simply be themselves.
That sense of belonging—without needing to modify who you are—is what inclusive play is about.
Splash Play Welcomes Every Child
Splash pads offer an inherently inclusive play experience. Without elevated decks, transfer points or stairs, children can move freely throughout the space and engage with water in ways that feel comfortable to them.
Many gathered under the powerful splash of the FlashFlood dumping bucket. Others spent time at interactive spray features like the SprayStacker, twisting knobs and exploring water at their own pace. One father-daughter team enjoyed a laughing piggyback ride that went from feature to feature.
The variety of experiences reflects how children choose their “just right” fit for play. Some children seek excitement and powerful sensation. Others prefer gentler, calming interactions. Inclusive splash pads create opportunities for both, and everything in between.
One child initially felt overwhelmed by the excitement and activity, but the water became a calming, grounding element. With encouragement from a parent, they gradually joined the fun at their own pace.
Leading by Example
The evening began with a welcome from Jr. Play Team President John Buettner, who encouraged everyone to think beyond inclusive playgrounds and imagine a more inclusive world.
Then, leading by example, John started the splash play fun, encouraging others to join. Soon the splash pad was one big community, laughing, splashing and playing together.
At one point, when Rihanna’s “Dancing in the Dark” came through of the speakers, the whole group started dancing.
Pizza and ice cream were a hit at break time, and Jr Play Team towels were a much appreciated party favor and badge of team membership.
More Than a Summer Outing
For many families of children with disabilities, attending community events can require additional planning and come with added uncertainty. Creating opportunities where everyone knows they’ll be welcomed—where children can make friends while parents connect with others who share similar experiences—can make all the difference.
The Jr. Play Team continues to shape the future of inclusive play by sharing their lived experience, but events like this remind us that inclusion is about more than play space design.
It’s about belonging.
Find an inclusive splash pad near you, from Aquatix® by Landscape Structures.
