Video and photos courtesy of Puuha
The city of Turku, Finland sought to transform an old water playground that did not meet current water quality standards. Before proceeding with the project, the City organized an online voting platform for residents to choose the final design of the future Splashpad®. The proposal presented by Puuha, in collaboration with Vortex, captured the attention of the city’s children in particular, and received the majority vote.
The 180 square meter urban Splash pad is a perfect complement to its Kupittaa Park surroundings. It features a variety of water games, including Spray Loops, which cool users down with a soft mist. Tube No1 is an interactive water game that promotes communication and interaction, inviting kids of all ages and abilities to engage in playful water fights.
Perhaps the biggest “wow” factor drawing people into the aquatic play space is Vortex’s TwinSplash dumping bucket. The bucket gradually fills with water, and when users least expect it, it will overturn, soaking everyone and everything in its path! It encourages collective play and communication, as the children anticipate the next big splash.
The new aquatic play solution is fully sustainable and environmentally responsible on multiple levels. It operates with a Vortex SmartFlow™ water management system, which optimizes water usage while maximizing play value. SmartFlow™ works with a flowthrough system, using potable water from the main city line; the wastewater is then returned to the municipal treatment system. In addition, an Activator No4 button ensures that the water is only running when children or families are using the Splash pad. Finally, a MaestroPRO™ controller manages the hours of operation and sequence of play.
With the introduction of a new Vortex Splash pad, the city of Turku has succeeded in enhancing the Kupittaa Park experience with a sustainable aquatic leisure area. And it has created a vibrant meeting spot for citizens to gather, cool off, and simply have fun.
In Action
