Articles

A Splashing Success
Aquatics Bryan Buchko Aquatics Bryan Buchko

A Splashing Success

Not many municipal services are guaranteed to put a smile on someone's face, but on any given summer afternoon at Alligator's Creek Aquatic Center in OХFallon, Mo., laughter and shrieks of fun can be heard long before one gets to the entrance gate.

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Aquatics Bryan Buchko Aquatics Bryan Buchko

The Town Pool Comes of Age

Municipalities nationwide are coming to the realization that simply providing a place for swim lessons and getting wet isn't what today's aquatic facilities are all about. Citizens are more savvy, connected, and busier than ever.

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Aquatics Bryan Buchko Aquatics Bryan Buchko

Enjoy A Peaceful Paddle

Chehalem Paddle Launch provides water recreationalists a place to rent a kayak, canoe, or paddle board, and enjoy a peaceful paddle on the Willamette River, in Dundee, Ore.

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Aquatics Bryan Buchko Aquatics Bryan Buchko

When A Community Treasure Crumbles

Parks and recreation departments often feel pressure from the community when facilities close for repairs or maintenance. For the city of Tampa, outcry was much stronger when a neighborhood pool was shut down in 2009 for being non-code compliant.

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A Pit Stop For Paddlers
Aquatics Bryan Buchko Aquatics Bryan Buchko

A Pit Stop For Paddlers

In 2009, the Minnesota DNR completed a master plan for the Ottertail River. Part of that study concluded that an 8-mile stretch of the river was not navigable into Fergus Falls because no canoe/kayak access existed above Central Dam.

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Aquatics Bryan Buchko Aquatics Bryan Buchko

Striking A Happy Chord

What once was an unsightly, utilitarian detention basin dividing two areas of a suburban community has now become a beautiful, ecologically healthy park that draws residents outdoors, fosters neighborliness, and inspires others in the region to visit

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Pour Performance
Aquatics Bryan Buchko Aquatics Bryan Buchko

Pour Performance

By 2012 the waterfall was in poor condition, and water flow had diminished to a trickle. A major renovation would be required to restore the historic waterfall to its original flow and capacity.

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Take Time To Train
Aquatics Bryan Buchko Aquatics Bryan Buchko

Take Time To Train

In a lifeguard-certification course, participants learn the skills necessary to protect swimmers and provide emergency care when required. They learn a lot in a 25- or 30-hour course, but

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Aquatics Bryan Buchko Aquatics Bryan Buchko

Cleaning Restrooms

For most property managers, the number-one complaint from building users is the condition of restrooms. In a park and recreation center, the bathrooms also become the one area that takes the most time to clean and maintain.

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The Anatomy Of A Splash Pad
Aquatics Bryan Buchko Aquatics Bryan Buchko

The Anatomy Of A Splash Pad

Although the completed water feature looks simple, the splash pad system and initial design are complicated. The anatomy of a splash pad is similar to that of a pool and demands similar attention, particularly to water-quality and sanitation issues.

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Aquatics Bryan Buchko Aquatics Bryan Buchko

Bursting With Enthusiasm

Photos Courtesy Of San Diego County Parks and Recreation DepartmentFountains erupted at the new Waterfront Park as the county of San Diego celebrated one of the largest grand-opening events in its

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Aquatics Bryan Buchko Aquatics Bryan Buchko

It's A Numbers Game

PhotoCourtesy Of Charles Davis Smith PhotographyIn a world where the goal is achieving close to 100-percent cost recovery, aquatic operators not only have to balance chemicals on a daily basis, but

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Aquatics Bryan Buchko Aquatics Bryan Buchko

Washing Water

Photos Courtesy of Clark County Wetlands ParkLocated just 7 miles east of the famous Las Vegas Strip, the Clark County Wetlands Park is a 2,900-acre preserve designed to protect and enhance wetlands

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Mitigating Murky Water
Aquatics Bryan Buchko Aquatics Bryan Buchko

Mitigating Murky Water

As one of the largest park systems in the country, the Chicago Park District continues to set its sights on ways to maintain water quality at its 26 miles of lakefront, 24 beaches, and 10 harbors.

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Aquatics Bryan Buchko Aquatics Bryan Buchko

Spray Play In America

Photos Courtesy of Elmhurst Park District Marketing Dept.These structures have many different namesСspray grounds, spray parks, sprinkler pads, water parks, splash pads, or any mix of the above. No m

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