What is stakeholder engagement in splash pad design?

Stakeholder engagement is the design phase where community input shapes the splash pad. Best-practice methods include: (1) Public meetings — 2-4 open meetings during concept and schematic phases with presentation, Q&A, and feedback collection. (2) Online surveys — broad reach for community preferences on hours, features, theming, and concerns. (3) Focus groups — small structured sessions with target users (parents of toddlers, families with disabilities, immigrant communities, teens). (4) Design charrettes — multi-day intensive workshops where stakeholders co-design with the architect. (5) Youth advisory boards — kids 8-15 give input on what would be 'cool' (often surprising and useful). (6) Accessibility review — disability-rights advocates and CASp consultant review at concept and schematic. (7) Operations input — parks maintenance staff review for serviceability. Document every input and respond publicly to show how feedback was incorporated. Strong engagement reduces post-construction NIMBY opposition by 50-80% and improves design quality by surfacing local needs that consultants miss.