Cover Edit
www.parkworld-online.com
Making a splash
President of Empex Watertoys, Wyeth Tracy, tells Park World why interactive water play is making such an impact
I
nteractive water play - whereby a user's input creates a variable output or response from a water feature - is fast becoming a major trend within
the playground market. It can be achieved through various designs of water toys, and across municipal parks and recreation centres, hotels and resorts, campgrounds, zoos, family entertainment centres, water parks, theme parks, and even shopping malls, demand for spray parks is increasing. The simplest form of interactivity is created with
water itself, cascading or spraying down on visitors in one manner or another. Different jets shooting from multiple directions, for example, can create a variety of feelings or sensations - tickling, coating, soothing and amazing visitors by stimulating the senses in different ways. Empex has designed several categories of
interactive water features to enhance the interactive experience, including self-pumping water toys. With these, the user creates a water jet by constantly pedaling, in the case of the Empex Waterbike; turning a handle, as with the Watershooter; rocking back and
SUMMER PART 2 2022
forth, as in the case of the Squirtin' Frog, or pumping through an up and down motion when using the Watertotter. When it comes to interactive water toys, simple
interactivity is created without moving parts by merely using the hands or feet. Empex’s large selection of water toys and water features, in various themes, take the form of static play structures or Aquatecture which have varied nozzle designs. Interactivity is created by interaction with the nozzles; when one nozzle is blocked by the fingers of the user, the other water jets become stronger. As a result, the more nozzles that are blocked by the user, the more the effect increases. Often, other children are called to participate in
this interactive behavior, leading to many children working together in order to cause the craziest water jet possible. It's great to see the children work together in order to produce these simple, yet amazingly enjoyable effects. Another example is Empex’s Aquajetz, featuring ground jets with different nozzle designs. Enabling
interactivity just by using the feet, stopping the flow of a nozzle with the foot will once again change the effect of the other jets. Another way to create interactivity is by turning a
selector wheel. Empex’s Aquanetic structures provide a handwheel, whereby the participant affects the outcomes by turning the wheel and selecting and activating a different water-based event, such as activating a particular spray array, pattern or spinning pinwheel or even a set of turning gears. Interactivity with water is also a physical learning
experience for young children. They learn cause and effect, plus basic yet important lessons in physics and fluid dynamics. Furthermore, children subconsciously learn subtle lessons about water pressure and water flow. Water play also creates important social interaction between two or more children, leading to valuable lessons in beneficial social behaviors such as cooperation and teamwork. There are benefits for parents too. Water play
creates a relaxing experience for parents who can interact with the kids in the water - or perhaps
19
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
