Vortex Aquatic Structures — Turtle Creek Waterpark
- Facility Name: Turtle Creek Waterpark (Vernon Hills Park District)
- City, State: Vernon Hills, Ill.
- Cost: $600,000 water features / $2.5 million total project
- Type of facility: Municipal waterpark
- Aquatic Engineer: WT Group
- Principal in charge: Rich Klarck (WT Group)
- Splashpad design: Vortex Aquatic Structures
- Status: Complete
- Square footage: 8,000
- % of reader vote: 64.83%
The Turtle Creek Splash Pad, part of the newly branded Turtle Creek Waterpark in Vernon Hills, is a vibrant and engaging aquatic playground designed for all ages and abilities. The primary objective of the 8,000-square-foot sprayground was to create an ADA-accessible space with high play value. The Elevations™ structure features a wheelchair ramp, transfer deck to the stairs, and three slides. Approximately 58% of the structure itself is ADA-accessible; 16 of the 27 features installed on the structure are also accessible. All 33 features on the splash pad are accessible as well.
The “star” of the Elevations™ structure is a Superwave that creates a massive splash. Officials wanted an iconic feature that would be visible from the main entrance to draw visitors into the park.
With a name like “Turtle Creek,” many of the water features are nature-inspired, including pine trees, a water bug, a butterfly, and a turtle.
The splash pad, acquired through the NPPGov cooperative purchasing program, is part of a larger waterpark that includes three slides, two pools, and a lazy river, offering a comprehensive aquatic experience for families.
Turtle Creek Waterpark replaces the former Family Aquatic Center and brings new amenities while retaining beloved features.
Waters Edge Aquatic Design — Quapaw Nation Splash Pad
- Facility Name: Quapaw Nation Splash Pad
- City, State: Quapaw, Okla.
- Type of Facility: Splash Pad
- Engineering Firm: Waters Edge Aquatic Design
- General Contractor: Branco Enterprises, Branco Enterprises Inc. | Home
- Status: Complete
- Square Footage: Splash Pad Area = 6,464
- Number of Floors: Outdoor Recirculation System
The Quapaw Nation’s splash pad offers guests an immersive experience celebrating the history and culture of the Quapaw people. To enter, guests pass through an archway inspired by the long houses traditionally used by the Quapaw.
The soft surface of the pad has different shades of green, each representing one of the tribes, interwoven with paths of blue that symbolize the rivers alongside which the Quapaw have historically settled. Throughout the pad, signs display the names of the tribes and their meanings, providing an educational component to the experience.
Adjacent to a children’s facility, the pad includes an outdoor classroom space. The entire area is enclosed with fencing for safety, and restrooms are conveniently accessible to both the splash pad and a nearby dry recreation playground. The flushed ground sprays have custom covers depicting various symbolic animals. Adding to the sensory experience, speakers are discreetly placed around the pad, periodically playing the sounds of a thunderstorm, offering a serene and authentic ambiance.