Why are splash pads near roads?

It can feel weird to find a splash pad right next to a busy street, but there are practical reasons. New splash pads are usually slotted into existing park land, and the most cost-effective spots are along the edges where utilities already exist — running new water and sewer lines for a recirculating pad costs $50,000-$200,000+ if you're building far from infrastructure. Roadside placement also makes the pad visible to drivers, which encourages community use, and makes pickup/dropoff easier. Good designers offset the road risk with low fences, dense landscaping, single controlled entry points, and pad layouts that orient kid traffic away from the street. The risk to address as a parent is wanderers — toddlers slip past the gate fast. Make a habit of positioning yourself between your child and the entrance, and brief older kids on never crossing the parking lot or street alone.