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Case Study: Rice Park

Willmar, Minnesota

An outdated wading pool calls for something new. Discussions and future plans for Rice Park began in 2013, when the park closed its outdated wading pool. It was then that city officials began working on a comprehensive master plan that would refurbish the city’s existing park system through multi-purpose programming and activities that would serve youth, adults and seniors who live in the community. The master plan included a renovation of Rice Park with the addition of a 3,000 square-foot Vortex Splashpad, shade structures and shelter.

Rice Park was among the first of the city’s parks to receive much-needed upgrades. Steve Brisendine, director of Willmar Community Education and Recreation, states, “By putting the resources into Rice, we are going to create a showcase park right in the middle of the city.”

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City officials turned to Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) to help bring their master plan visions to fruition. CRS custom-designed the Splashpad with over 20 engaging water features, providing the park with a completely new aquatic experience.

Upon the ribbon-cutting ceremony and Splashpad debut, Mayor Marv Calvin comments, “Positive things happen when you get families outside, enjoying the outdoors.” John Chester with Chester Contracting, a contractor from the project, also comments, “These parks are really needed in our community. It gets the kids away from the TV and the video games. It gets them out here to play and spend time together.”

The Splashpad has seen huge success with crowds of children and parents experiencing the water sprays and features on an almost daily basis since it’s opening in June 2018.

In addition to the Splashpad, CRS worked with city officials to incorporate much-needed shade structures. A custom ‘Sail’ shade structure from Shade Systems was installed overhead to provide children with relief from the sun. The ‘Sail’ shade structures provide durable and functional shade that blocks dangerous UV rays while also offering a unique aesthetic appeal—an ideal solution for the Splashpad setting.

“The Rice Park project is the first park to receive capital investment resources following the adoption of the park plan by the Willmar City Council. We are confident Rice Park will be a place for the community to enjoy for decades to come, and we are excited to have such a great area for youths to play.” Brisendine states.