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What is a typical splash pad construction timeline week by week?
Quick answer
A typical splash pad build runs 14-22 weeks from notice-to-proceed: 2 weeks mobilization, 3 weeks site work, 4 weeks plumbing/electrical rough-in, 2 weeks slab pour and cure, 4 weeks features and finishes, 2 weeks startup/commissioning, and 1 week punch list. Weather and inspections are the biggest schedule risks.
Detailed splash pad schedules break down roughly as follows. Weeks 1-2: Mobilization, erosion control, tree protection, demolition. Weeks 3-5: Site work — mass excavation to subgrade, geotextile and stone sub-base placement, utility trenching to the water and electrical taps. Weeks 6-9: Plumbing rough-in (PVC mainlines, branch laterals to feature locations), electrical rough-in (conduits, bonding grid, vault wiring), and equipment-vault construction. Weeks 10-11: Forming, embeds, and concrete slab pour with finish texture; minimum 7 days cure before any loading. Weeks 12-15: Spray feature installation, decorative paint or stain, signage, fencing, landscape edging, and shade structures. Weeks 16-17: Startup, water-balance commissioning, controller programming, choreography testing. Week 18: Punch list and grand-opening cleanup. Weather rain delays add 1-3 weeks; inspection re-trips add 1-2 weeks. Aggressive schedules can compress to 12 weeks but at premium labor cost.