Check out the all-new Playground and Splash Pad! 

The playground and splash pad have new features and amenities, such as new climbing structures, plenty of seating areas, and large sails that offer shade. The new splash pad system allows children to control the flow of water instead of having a continuous flow like before. The original concrete animal sculptures from the previous Steigerwaldt-Jockey Children’s Fountain have been placed in the new landscaping after being restored by the artist.

The playground and splash pad areas are ADA-compatible following the City’s ADA plan to update accessibility in City-owned spaces. Therefore, the new design raised the splash pad up by about seven feet to be level with the playground. This allows the playground and splash pad to become one entity instead of two separate ones like previously designed.

The restoration process started in Oct. 2020. The splash pad required a full renovation due to the Children’s Fountain needing increased maintenance and the cost of repair outweighing the lifespan.

The project had a final budget of $3.3 million, with the majority being funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and the remaining balance coming from Penny Surtax III.

What is a Bioswale?

What is a Bioswale? A bio-Swale is a form of bioretention designed to capture and treat stormwater runoff from hard surfaces like sidewalks, driveways, roadways and rooftops. A shallow basin is excavated and lined with rocks to collect debris and pollution while conveying stormwater away for critical infrastructure. The swale component provides pre-treatment of stormwater to remove coarse to medium sediments while the plants help remove finer particulates and associated contaminates.
 
In addition to helping to prevent erosion and improving water quality inside a bioswale, native plants provide essential food and habitat for local wildlife. Their seeds and nectar provide a valuable food source for birds, butterflies, and other insects as well as a place to lay their eggs. Natives are well adapted to local conditions, require very little care once they are established, and add beauty to the landscape.
 
The next time you visit Bayfront Park stop by the Bioswale and see if you can spot these native plants:

• Cabbage Palm (Sabal palmetto)
• Railroad Vine (Ipomoea pes-caprae)
• Mangrove Spider Lily (Hymenocallis latifolia)
• Trailing Porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis)
• Sea Purslane (Sesuvium portulacastrum)

Public Art:

Olympic Wannabees
GLENNA GOODACRE
Bronze

Omphalos
RICHARD BECKMAN
Steel

Dolphin Fountain
STEVE DICKEY
Bronze

Ominous Ikon 69
DENNIS KOWAL
Aerospace Aluminum

Public Restrooms on-site are open to the public daily from 7:00AM to 12:00AM Midnight.