Case Study: Okotoks Arts & Learning Campus
Location: Ethel Tucker Park, Okotoks, AB
Project Type: Splash Pad | Community Plaza
Installed: 2025
Product Spotlights:
- Helices
- Wobbly Cannons
- Fun-Brella
- Water Weaver 2
- Luminaries
- Ground Sprays
When the new Okotoks Arts and Learning Campus received funding from local donors to invest back into the area, the goal was simple: create a flexible outdoor space that would bring the community together and bring energy to the heart of the campus.
Connected to Ethel Tucker Park and woven into an established pathway system along the Sheep River, the site called for something enduring. Something that would feel just as at home during a farmers’ market as it would on a hot July afternoon.
The Town of Okotoks wanted more than just a plaza. They wanted a space that would serve as an extension of the artistic space next door, and with a specific request from the donors for the space to include water and be used by children, a splash pad water feature was the perfect solution.
As Western Canada’s park experts, Parkworks was brought on to oversee the entire project, and they were involved every step of the way to help bring this space to life.
The Challenge
The main challenge of this space was that it wasn’t just going to be a splash pad. Yes, it needed to be a space where families could gather and cool off during the hot summer months, but it also needed to compliment the other activities that the space would be used for, such as farmers markets, art gallery displays and sales, and other community events. The Town of Okotoks had a few specific requests for the space that were intended to help maximize its potential, including the use of ground sprays and LED lighting.
Integrating these elements into the space would help reflect and enhance the surrounding area while allowing the splash pad to transform into an art installation in-and-of itself. Adding LED lighting would extend the hours of the space, adding unique light and water effects that would shine long after the sun went down.
Another request from the town was that they wanted the splash pad to use a recirculation water management system, which would eliminate unnecessary water loss. Recirculation systems work by collecting, filtering, treating, disinfecting, and then returning the water back to the splash pad, recycling the water used rather than letting it drain into the municipal sanitary or storm system.
The Solution
Once funding for the design and construction of the splash pad was approved by the town, work could get started! Parkworks worked closely with their splashiest partner, Waterplay, to bring the space to life. Leveraging the in-house visualization teams, Parkworks created 3D renders of the proposed space to provide the client with a fantastic visual of the proposed design before work got underway.
While many splash pads use bright colours and have features spaced into different play zones based on the specific needs of the client, the design for this project was much more architectural in nature. Waterplay ground sprays and LED Luminary Sprays were integrated into the design, as per the town’s request, and additional features - all in a classic brushed stainless-steel finish - helped tie the whole design together to create a space that is both functional and visually appealing.
Two interwoven Helices features anchor the splash pad, adding height and movement to the space while a Water Weaver 2, Fun-Brella, and two Wobbly Cannons help tie the entire design together. As requested, a recirculation system was installed to run the splash pad, and Parkworks’ PMI team worked closely with the Town of Okotoks to ensure that everything was installed correctly and in a timely manner. Additional support from the installer helped make sure the entire project went smoothly.
The Implementation
With a finalized design and installation plan in place, it was time to get to work! Parkworks provided a turnkey installation for this project, working closely with AME Group and Custom Landscape Solutions to make sure every aspect of the build went off without a hitch. Renovations to the Okotoks Arts and Learning Centre happened in tandem with the splash pad build to make sure the mechanical systems would work as needed and could support the recirculation system.
Clear and timely communication was necessary between all project partners to make sure all of the moving pieces required throughout the installation process were in place. Aside from the normal bumps in the road that come with any complicated construction project, the overall installation of this splash pad went well, and everyone worked together closely to ensure the finished product would be exactly what the Okotoks Arts and Learning Centre was looking for.
The Outcome
The spray park officially opened in July 2025 and has already become a well-loved community space.
Through close collaboration with the Town of Okotoks and project partners, Parkworks helped shape a plaza that knows how to multitask. It hosts community events with ease, then flips the switch and becomes a vibrant spray park where kids dart through illuminated jets and stainless-steel features shimmer in the summer sun. It feels open, welcoming, and unmistakably alive.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate the grand opening of this new water feature and enhance this dynamic community space where people of all ages can gather, play and connect,” said Christa Michailuck, Director of Parks and Recreation for the Town of Okotoks. “This wonderful investment in our community reflects our commitment to creating recreational opportunities for our community to come together.”
The result is more than a splash pad; it’s a lasting community asset designed with intention and built to serve generations to come!
Project Partners:
- AME Group (Engineering)
- Custom Landscape Solutions (Contractor)
- Waterplay (Splash Pad Features)
- Town of Okotoks
Looking to transform underutilized spaces into vibrant new parks and playgrounds in your community? Let our team of experts guide you every step of the way! At Parkworks, we specialize in transforming spaces into thriving community hubs.