Requirement

A paddling pool installed at Clissold Park in the 1930s arrived at life end in 2020. Hackney Council was aware wise investment of a new facility with automated filtration would reduce water consumption, improve hygiene and restore the park’s aquatic play heritage for the long-term future.

Hackney Council and FaulknerBrowns Architects carried out a public consultation in 2021 to determine exactly what the community would like in terms of aquatic play and the choice of two locations - the existing paddling pool site, or the former bowling green. 1192 of Clissold’s community responded with their preferences and 73% liked or loved a splash pad at the former bowling green (further away from the road), utilising the pavilion for the plant room, toilets, showers and café.

Planning process

The London Borough of Hackney Council submitted a planning application to establish a splash pad at Clissold Park’s former bowling green and permitted development was granted on 8th December 2021. The Council embarked upon a tender process to appoint a specialist splash pad provider for the works, and Ustigate Waterplay was awarded the contract in February 2022.

Work undertaken

Ustigate’s design and build works included the splash pad and amendments to the interior of the pavilion to accommodate the PWTAG-compliant recirculation system, a new toilet and showering facilities. Several aquatic play products were picked out as preferred at public consultation and the company's design team ensured all community favourites were included.

At one end of Clissold Park Splash Pad, thrill-seeking water players delight in a saturated soaking under the Supersplash tipping bucket as well as above-ground play items offering a choice of overhead sprays via a self-spinning, sprinkling Power Flower, a gentle, misting Leaf, a Seaweed with a multi-jet umbrella water effect, and a water-blasting Snake.

There is plenty of action and motion at Clissold Park Splash Pad with three cannons: a Luna No.1 from award-winning Explora, a Butterfly, Frog, Snail and a Sunspray in the mix. Turntec™, Twirltec™ and Twistnozzle™ invite all children to take control of the water direction via active play, incorporating the activities of twisting, turning, pushing, pulling and rotating. Children can rotate their animal characters a full 360°, enjoy some aiming and firing fun and be rewarded with pretty, spiralling water patterns when they take Sunspray for a spin. There is an arched Rainbow offering an all-round misty spray, a Water Tunnel and three small stepping stones offering the activity of bounce and splash, aptly named Hop No.2.

All of these play items are surrounded by a variety of ground jets of varying heights and displays. Clissold Park Splash Pad has two double-arched Directional Jet No.2’s, a Rooster Tail with a thick, arched laminar effect, a circular Donut Spray, two gentle, low-level, funnel-shaped Water Jelly’s, a Team Spray that invites children to work together to create a bigger splash, two tall Side Winders that widen with height, and a fully charged Gusher that leaves the ground with force, shooting its vertical water stream high into the air.

The splash pad shape has attractive, curvy edges and the surfacing is finished in the bright and cheerful colours selected at public consultation and approved for development at planning permission stage.

There is no water depth, making Clissold Park Splash Pad 100% inclusive and accessible for all ages and abilities.

Works included the supply and installation of bow-top fencing and self-closing gates to ensure safety and security.

All of the water play products, play surfacing, fencing and gates are EN certified.

Outcome

The project was completed on time and budget, opening on 1st August 2022 for children to enjoy their new splash pad over the summer holidays.

Testimonials

“Parks are so important for people in Hackney, and we’re committed to expanding facilities so they can be enjoyed by as many as possible – particularly children, in line with our commitment to build a child friendly borough. With its water sprays, tipping bucket and fountains, this new splash pad will be so much fun for families.”
– Philip Glanville, Mayor of Hackney, 2022

“The number of visits to the splash pad last year surpassed all our expectations – and we’re really looking forward to reopening this popular attraction. We remain committed to improving facilities in our parks, which are so important for Hackney residents, particularly those of us who do not have green space of our own. We’re looking forward to working with GLL and local partners to increase accessibility and can’t wait to see kids enjoy the incredible sprays, tipping bucket and fountains this year!”
– Cllr Caroline Woodley, Cabinet Member for Families, Parks and Leisure, 2023