A Q U AT I C S Zip lines and surfing features appear at public pools By Amy Kapp W hen examining the amenities prevalent in today's public aquatic facilities, it doesn't take long to figure out that waterparks are influencing agency innovations. But as industry experts attest, it's not " becoming a waterpark " that is driving agencies. It's thinking like one. " Cities don't want [the waterpark] characterization because they don't want to have to charge high fees, " says Dave Schwartz, owner of Kansas-based Water's Edge Aquatic Design. " They want to make it reasonable to visit a facility, while providing features for everybody in the community. " " Today's agency must-haves are predicated on the creation of an experience, " says Tom Poulos, principal and vice president of Williams Architects in Illinois. " This means amenities that will extend visits to a facility and encourage more frequent use. " WWW.NRPA.ORG | FEBRUARY 2013 | Parks & Recreation 43