Sanitization and public-health partnerships can keep park visitors safe
Splash pads are a hallmark of summertime family fun for communities across the country. Typically free to use and open to the public, they’re an accessible and affordable way to keep children entertained when school’s out. Many parents also look to splash pads as a safer alternative to pools—visitors can engage in relatively carefree play without water-safety concerns. But that doesn’t mean splash pads are without risks. For parkgoers and park officials overseeing splash pads, recreational water illnesses are an urgent, ongoing concern.
How Germs Spread At Splash Pads
The universal appeal of splash pads (and spraygrounds) is what ultimately drives the risk of public illness.
“Splash pads are unique aquatic venues as they have a variety of interactive water features that attract people of all ages, especially those under the age of 5 years,” says DeJuana Grant, Waterborne Disease Coordinator for Alabama Public Health. “When kids and adults play in splash pads, germs, poop, pee, and dirt can rinse off their bodies and shoes.”
Grant says that sprayed water also rinses debris, such as human or animal feces, dirt, and leaves from splash-pad surfaces. The result is an environment ripe for the spread of germs.
Recreational water illnesses tend to be gastrointestinal, though skin irritation is possible, says Grant. The most common pathogens are Cryptosporidium, a microscopic parasite that primarily causes diarrhea; Shigella, a bacteria that causes diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps; and Giardia, a tiny parasite that spreads via contaminated soil, food, and water.
According to the CDC, other possible health problems include eye and ear pain, coughs, and congestion. In short, an afternoon frolicking around a splash pad can lead to some serious complications. Thus, park officials are tasked with the tremendous responsibility of keeping this popular summer pastime safe for all visitors—a challenge many leaders are tackling head-on.
