"This is absolutely amazing in our community! I feel that it’s going to encourage a lot of physical activity and more family time. There’s a lot of taking turns I see, which is implementing social skills learning as well which I really think is important.”
Danielle Heatley | Parent & Community Member, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario

Bellevue Park
Seventeen hectares in size, Bellevue Park is Sault Ste. Marie's main passive park, offering a large playground area, 2.4 kilometres of asphalt walkway, multiple floral beds and a display greenhouse which is open to the general public. Opening in 2016, it is also home to a popular Adventure & Sensory Playground that is equipped with inclusive and accessible playground equipment, designed to provide sensory stimulation and promote family bonding.

Design Challenge
In consultation with the community of Sault Ste. Marie, the Parks and Recreation Master Plan, as well as the youth-friendly designation application, it was determined that there was a distinct and immediate need for a spray park in the community. Requirements included that the splash pad would need to appeal to all ages, from toddlers to pre-teens, and follow a layout and design in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005).

Solution
For this project, a dynamic and inclusive play space was achieved that seamlessly merges products from the Cirque Collection with more traditional splash pad features. Loaded with fun, this colorful zero-depth splash pad offers rewarding, collaborative play experiences for all the different ways that children play.
High-action Splash Blaster water cannons encourage team play while crowd favorites, the Aqua-Drop, and Sneaky Soaker 2 attract thrill-seekers with a spectacular splash. Gentle water effects from the Parasol entice waterplayers to hide within its flowing water curtain and the Puddle 3, when jumped on, splashes higher and higher just like a real-life rain puddle!
Supporting early childhood development, the inviting Discovery Stream provides gentle, hands-on play opportunities for budding explorers whereby interactive Fish, Sea Grass and Stout Mouse weirs stimulate cognitive and sensory awareness.
Shaded seating areas, clear sightlines for parents and wide access paths to and from the play space and surrounding each of the play elements, put an emphasis on inclusion for all ages and abilities.

Impact
Adhering to the principles of inclusive play, the new splash pad at Bellevue Park is a testament to the power of thoughtful, universal design. The result is a central space that caters to the diverse needs of its visitors—offering a cool space to gather, relax and play where all are welcome to join in on the fun!

Play Features in this project include:
• Aqua-Drop
• Parasol
• Baton
• Djembe
• Puddle 1
• Puddle 3
• Discovery Stream
• Sneaky Soaker 2 (no Spray)
• Water O
• Spin Spray 1
• Splash Blaster
• Misty Twisty
• Boingo
• Activator Power Post
• Crawling Ground Spray (Ants)
• Ground Spray (Misty Mountain)
• Ground Spray (Team Effect Mini)
• Ground Spray (Steady Stream)
• Ground Spray (Spray Tunnel 4)
• Classic Drain (Grey)