Harrisonburg, get ready to make a splash! The Spray Grounds at Ralph Sampson Park have officially opened. This refreshing new amenity space in the Friendly City features 6,000 square feet of aquatic play area with four shade structures and a bathhouse. We had the honor of working for Nielsen Builders on this project and partnering with Southern Playground and Monteverde Studio for the complete design. This is yet another incredible project made possible for our community by Harrisonburg Parks and Rec. If you have not noticed their work around the city, you are not paying attention. Our parks are looking exceptional these days.
The Harrisonburg spray grounds are located in Ralph Sampson Park, next to the Lucy F. Simms Center, at the corner of Washington Street and Simms Avenue. This project, funded by ARPA money, provides the quadrant of the city with the most school-age children a very cool destination. It is accessible, with vibrant colors, and is surrounded by basketball courts and a playground. The project features a large bucket that dumps out and creates a huge splash, seating areas, restrooms, and lots of green space. The center is open from 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. daily and is free to the public.
Our role in the project was not the cool water features, but we did get to provide design for the shade pavilions and the restrooms/pump house. This project was done design-build, which means we worked directly for the builder and not for the city. This approach allows for minimal design to verify code compliance and permit drawings.
Harrisonburg, get ready to make a splash! The highly anticipated Ralph Sampson Park Spray Grounds officially opened on Tuesday, July 1st, bringing a refreshing new amenity to the Friendly City. This 6,000-square-foot aquatic play area is unlike anything else in the region, promising endless summer fun for all ages.
Located conveniently beside the Lucy F. Simms Continuing Education Center at the corner of Washington Street and Simms Avenue, the spray grounds were made possible by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. This project is a testament to Harrisonburg’s commitment to providing vibrant, accessible recreational spaces for its community.
Lead Designer / Landscape Architect: LPDA / Kimley-Horn
General Contractor: Nielsen Builders
Equipment: Southern Playground
Project Owner: Harrisonburg Parks and Rec
Civil Engineer: Monteverde Studio
