Splash Pads
Interactive water play, designed for the whole family.
Quick planning summary
- Best for
- Families with young kids who aren't ready for a pool — or households that want a fun water feature alongside one
- Planning investment
- Splash pad pricing depends on footprint, feature count, surface material, and the recirculation system.
- Typical timeline
- Most residential splash pads complete in a few weeks once permits and equipment are in hand.
- Service area
- Phoenix metro — Peoria, Glendale, Surprise, Scottsdale, Cave Creek, Paradise Valley, and surrounding cities.
- AE division
- AE Outdoor Living
Ranges are planning guidance and reviewed periodically. Final figures live in your signed proposal.
See real numbers before you call.
Our pricing guide shows the planning ranges we actually see on Arizona jobs — no "call for pricing," no hidden cost drivers.
Estrella Outdoor Living Remodel
A full Estrella backyard remodel built for the way the family actually lives outside — pool, spa, waterfalls, shade pergola, fireplace, gazebo, turf-and-paver checkerboard, and a dedicated yard zone for entertaining.
What AE currently offers for this scope
Only options we actively design, source, and build today. Ask in your intake if you don't see what you're picturing.
- Interactive water features
- Slip-resistant rubberized surface
- Recirculating systems
- UV + chlorine sanitation
- Drainage planned in
- Designed with supervision in mind
Design options
- —Recirculating systems
- —Slip-resistant surfaces
- —Bubblers
- —Ground sprays
- —Dump buckets
- —Arches and tunnels
- —Themed layouts
Use the right planning tool for this project.
Use these first, then send AE the result so we can review your project with better context.
Residential splash pads we build across the Valley
Custom backyard splash pads with recirculating filtration, programmable spray sequences, slip-resistant decking, and proper drainage — engineered for Arizona heat, hard water, and HOA approvals. Every system is plumbed to code with isolation valves and freeze-protection where required.
- Phoenix
- Scottsdale
- Paradise Valley
- Arcadia
- Cave Creek
- Carefree
- Fountain Hills
- Peoria
- Glendale
- Surprise
- Goodyear
- Litchfield Park
- Avondale
- Chandler
- Gilbert
- Mesa
Splash pads are a fit-based service — we pre-qualify every project on yard size, water access, and drainage before quoting.
The scope items that move the number
Size, selections, access, demolition, utilities, engineering, drainage, permitting, HOA requirements, site conditions, and specialty trades. We surface each one in your written scope instead of teasing a price that omits common cost drivers.
- Footprint
- Number of features
- Surface material
- Recirculation vs drain-to-waste
- Sanitation system
- Drainage and grading
- Permits
How we build it, summarized
- — Written, itemized scope before any work begins; no verbal change orders.
- — Engineering, drainage, and code review documented in the approved design.
- — Manufacturer instructions and current AZ code govern installation methods.
- — Photo documentation captured at each major milestone for the project file.
Final specifications depend on the approved design, site conditions, engineering, applicable code, manufacturer instructions, and signed scope.
See full Construction Standards →Set in your signed proposal
Your signed proposal and agreement control payment milestones, permitting responsibilities, warranty coverage, exclusions, and project scope. Pool and non-pool projects follow different milestone schedules.
What's covered, and by whom
AE provides a two-year workmanship warranty unless a signed agreement states otherwise. Manufacturer warranties apply where applicable and vary by product. Your signed agreement and manufacturer documentation control coverage.
- Pool shell & structureAE workmanship: 2-year AE workmanship
- Pool interior surfaceAE workmanship: Manufacturer warranty appliesManufacturer: Per manufacturer
- Pool tile & water featuresAE workmanship: 2-year AE workmanship
- Pool equipmentAE workmanship: Manufacturer warranty appliesManufacturer: Per manufacturer (varies by product)
- AE LEDs (permanent lighting)AE workmanship: 2-year workmanshipManufacturer: Manufacturer component warranty (varies by product)
- Sonoran Glass & FenceAE workmanship: 2-year workmanship; gate adjustments for 1 yearManufacturer: Manufacturer glass & hardware warranty
- Landscape, hardscape, stone, paversAE workmanship: 2-year workmanship
- Artificial turfAE workmanship: 2-year workmanshipManufacturer: Manufacturer coverage may continue; labor excluded after year 2
- Plants & treesAE workmanship: 90-day replacement with proper care, subject to exclusions
- Misting systemsAE workmanship: 2-year workmanship on installation unless a signed agreement states otherwiseManufacturer: Pump, nozzles, tubing, and filtration per manufacturer (varies by product)
Website information is for planning purposes. Your signed proposal and agreement control the scope, payment schedule, warranty, and project responsibilities.
Splash Pads questions, answered
How much does a residential splash pad cost?+
Splash pads typically cost about half of a comparable pool build — most residential pads run $18,000–$100,000 depending on size, features, surface, and recirculation equipment.
Do you install commercial splash pads in Arizona?+
Yes. AE installs both residential and commercial splash pads. Commercial pads — for HOAs, multifamily communities, parks, and hospitality properties — carry additional requirements: ADA-accessible routing, code-compliant recirculation and sanitation, anti-entrapment drains, and the right surfacing for higher-traffic supervised use. We scope the engineering, permitting, and inspection package for each commercial project.
What's the difference between a residential and commercial splash pad contractor?+
Residential splash pads serve one family and are sized for backyard use. Commercial splash pads serve the public, must meet ADA accessibility, require engineered drainage and sanitation that meets Arizona public-pool code, and almost always require permits and a final inspection. AE is set up to deliver either, with the engineering and licensing each scope requires.
Is it just a sprinkler?+
No — it's a recirculating system with an underground tank, pump, and filter, similar to a pool but with no standing water.
How do splash pads compare with pools for younger kids?+
Splash pads don't have a pool-depth basin, which can reduce certain water-depth risks, but they still require responsible adult supervision, safe surfacing, and proper system maintenance. Many families use them as a complement to a pool, not a replacement for safe water habits.
Do splash pads waste water?+
Not when built with a recirculating system, which is how we build every AE splash pad.
How long does splash pad construction typically take?+
Most residential splash pad installations are completed within 2–4 weeks from excavation to final inspection. Project timelines can vary depending on complexity and material availability.
What materials are used for the splash pad surface?+
We primarily use specialized rubberized, non-slip surfacing designed for durability and safety. This material provides excellent traction and remains cool under the Arizona sun.
Published specifications are typical AE planning or construction baselines. Final specifications depend on site conditions, engineering, manufacturer requirements, applicable code, and the signed scope.
What to clarify before choosing — common planning mistakes to avoid
- Building it as a glorified sprinkler with no recirculation — water bill destroys the budget
- Slippery surfaces
- Undersized drainage
- No sanitation system
- Putting it where shade never reaches
Often built alongside
Ready to plan this the right way?
One accountable team — design, written scope, build, and aftercare.