Why Woodbury Needs a Splash Pad: Councilwoman Julie Ohs

I have included various thoughts and statements below in regard to my opinion that we should include a splash pad. 

In my mind there are so many reasons why we should… My question is why wouldn't we? We have the funds available and they need to be used for a project like this… why wouldn't we.

“In North America, Splash pads have been at the top of the list for planned additions at facilities of all kinds for several years running.” (Recreation Management 2011)

It is no surprise that many have been constructed, as there are significant benefits associated including: the ability to support a healthy lifestyle, the ability to enhance “family well-being,” the ability to provide safe and sustainable play environments, and the ability to substantially lower recreation costs, over an extended period of time.

According to studies, declining levels of play, which have more than tripled since the 1970s, have led to soaring obesity rates among kids aged 6 to 11. (Ogden 2002) 

Splash pads, undoubtedly, can be part of the solution since they improve physical, cognitive, and social health. 

Moreover, splash pads serve as venues where kids can engage in the recommended 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous play everyday. (Stanford School of Medicine 2007) While engaged they bolster their “family well-being” and connection to communities. 

Evidence from recent research outlines the parallels to play and families. Parents agree that play allows their children to learn and grow while providing parents a relatively stress-free experience and time to relax. (Foresters and KaBoom)

Today, only one in five children in the United States lives within a half mile of a park or playground (Center for Disease Control and Prevention). Informal play could improve the access to play and, in essence, amend the play deficit issue. After all, play leads to smarter, happier, and healthier children and families. 

“If play is not made a priority, we will continue to see a decrease in creativity and imagination, as well as vital skills including curiosity, social skills, resiliency, and the ability to assess risk. (Golinkoff 2006)

Related: Woodbury Council Tables Splash Pad Discussion

From Woodbury: Reaction to the Splash Pad Idea

Splash Pad Discussion on Agenda for Woodbury City Council Meeting

Woodbury Councilwoman Renews Call for ‘Splash Pad’ as Part of Bielenberg Expansion Plans

Splash Pad at Bielenberg Gets Lukewarm Reception from Woodbury City Council

Splash pads are ADA compliant, and a splash pad experience may have additional physical, psychological, social, and cognitive benefits for children with different types of challenges or disabilities. It has been shown that water activities have calming effects on many children with autism who experience sensory difficulties. (Therapeutic Recreation)

Unfortunately, over the past few years, the value our society places on play has declined in favor of organized activities, sports and lessons. There are many reasons for this phenomenon:

• an increased emphasis by schools on academics;
• the corresponding elimination of recess and physical education;
• a greater number of organized activities like sports and lessons;
• the exploding use of computers and TV in kids' lives; and
• parents' fears that their children will fall behind if they aren't enrolled in extra programs.

Fortunately, people—educators, specialists, and parents—are becoming more aware of the need to tip the scales back in favor of free play.

It's in this spirit that the American Academy of Pediatrics issued a report reassuring us that unstructured playtime is one of the healthiest things for our children: "The challenge for society, schools, and parents is to strike the balance that allows all children to reach their potential, without pushing them beyond their personal comfort limits and while allowing them personal free time."

Benefits of unstructured free play:

• it contributes significantly to overall physical activity levels;
• it helps children and youth to fully develop cognitively and socially;
• it motivates and encourages children and youth to be active;
• it provides a healthy and active alternative to more sedentary activities such as playing computer games or watching television;
• it is an inexpensive way for children and youth to participate in physical activity; and
• it emphasizes overall physical health and well being of children and youth instead of placing emphasis on exercise for weight loss.

A study from the Alliance for Childhood shows extreme aggressive behavior in children is exhibited today more than ever before. Coincidence? Nope.

The research illuminates three universal truths:

1. Childhood play is crucial for social, emotional and cognitive development.

2. Imaginative free play—as opposed to games and structured activities—is the most essential kind of childhood play.

3. Kids who do not play when they are young grow into anxious, socially maladjusted adults.

Below are comments posted on Woodbury Patch: (I did not include the comments against a splash pad.)

—Splash pad would be much appreciated in Wdby, yes the one in CG is close but its def. one more thing for families to be able to do w/in the city. Wdby is a city that is growing like crazy and there needs to be more free family friendly activities for kids of all ages.

—This would be a fabulous addition to the facility and a fabulous addition to the inclusive playground as the splash pad would be fully accessible - allowing access for everyone! This is a recreational opportunity for everyone, not a spot for just those that play hockey, or soccer, or baseball - this area would be for all. Not every child or adult plays a sport and this is a great opportunity to create a place in Woodbury to enjoy.

—There are thousands of people here during the summer, siblings watching other siblings play sports - this would be a great add to cool off after games, during games, and give all kids something to do while they are there.

—As a recreation professional (and someone without children) I see the value in splash pads. As a city, why would Woodbury push their residents to another city to enjoy their leisure time? Why not keep them local where they may spend additional money within the city? Another key factor is that splash pads are all-inclusive and not another field, rink, playing structure, etc for athletes. I have experienced first hand the success of splash pads and spray parks and fully support Woodbury adding this feature to a facility that is growing to meet the needs of all individuals. Kudos to those pushing for inclusion.

—One rather large advantage to a splash pad, especially with some kids, you don't need to worry about them drowning or running off into the deeper pool. Kids get their fun, yet it's safer for kids you aren't ready to be taking to the pool quite yet (i.e. still in swim diapers, prone to running off toddlers/preschoolers, etc. They're also more inclusive on many levels...

—While I agree, the price tag is a bit on the steep side especially when a half-million would be better spent elsewhere (like, say, taxpayers putting in pools of their own!), I'm surprised that there aren't more of them in the area. The one put in where I'm originally from is constantly busy.

—The splash pad is a great idea. Having one near a playground in the summer is even a better idea. As a youthful community, this would be a great addition for our children and families. If you saw the balance sheet on how much money we actually spend in the City of Woodbury, the $500K would not be a burden. In addition, I do agree with another comment that our community needs entertainment for teens.

—A sprinkler in the backyard works the same???? so everybody in Woodbury owns a single family home??? I own a townhouse and have a 3 yr old that would love this as much as she loves the one in CG!!

—I'd love a splash pad. If the city needs revenue have a concession stand.

—It would be nice to have more destinations in Woodbury for all ages, a reason to stay in Woodbury beyond sleeping here. While that may include sports/athletics, it needs to be expanded beyond that demographic and I am encouraged that they are asking questions.

—Woodbury needs better destinations, restaurants/bars, events - reasons for people to hang around on the weekend (and let me add, spend locally).

—They're inexpensive to build and maintain, so there's very little reason not to, unlike a water park which is considerably more expensive.

—Yes, Woodbury, a little community water fun would be GREAT!

—Yes. We need toddler-friendly things to do in Woodbury.

Below are the thoughts of one member of the Woodbury Parks & Rec Commission:

1.) The splash pad is an opportunity for children of all ages to recreate in a relatively structure-free environment (especially compared to organized sports) at no cost. (I am assuming there would be no fee and would hope that would be the case considering the close and free proximity of the Cottage Grove).

2.) The splash pad is a destination in itself and adds to the overall appeal of the Bielenberg Sports Complex. It brings new people from outside of our community who may come just for the splash pad, or people who are at the Bielenberg Sports Complex who stay longer because of the splash pad.

3.) The splash pad can serve as a community gathering place for Woodbury residents. Families with children of all ages will have the opportunity to interact with each other hopefully providing visibility to our great variety of people and sense of community.

4.) I'm excited about the new community that will be added across the street and connected by underpass. I hope, and would expect, that the splash pad would be a destination for middle-schoolers who have gained enough freedom to leave their parents, but are not driving yet. One of the theories behind decreased nature-based outdoor recreation participation is the high involvement in children's lives through much older ages (we don't see the play outside till the street lights come on phenomenon as much) but the splash pad is a safe, relatively close, and easily connected destination for young kids.

5.) Finally, the visitation rates of Cottage Grove that were mentioned at our last meeting speak for themselves. Compare that estimate to the cost of the facility over the lifetime of the facility and we'll see its just pennies/visit. Well worth the expenditure, I believe.

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