Social connection through play
In fast-growing Lexington, United States, public realm transformation is one way to ensure residents’ needs are met amid new development. To guide strategic urban development, the Lexington Downtown Development Authority engaged Gehl in 2015 to conduct a city-wide PSPL survey. This assessment revealed how Lexingtonians used public spaces and identified opportunities to enhance connectivity and livability. A key finding was the lack of accessible and safe play areas, especially around Northeastern Park, where several neighborhoods of varying income levels and demographics converge.
In response, Gehl created SplashJam — a pilot project transforming an underutilized site at the intersection of four neighborhoods into an inclusive water-play space. Besides designing in a temporary interactive splash pad, the team saw this as an opportunity to also improve pedestrian safety and park amenities. By providing accessible recreation, the project brought families together, fostering community connections across neighborhoods.
Beyond being a mere play space, SplashJam demonstrated how thoughtful urban design can foster community connections and improve public life. Its success highlighted the importance of inclusive, iterative public space design in shaping Lexington’s future. Indeed, in 2023 SplashJam gave way to a more permanent installation — Splash! — in the redesigned (and renamed) Charles Young Park.
