2025 DCC Award Winner
McMullen County Splash Pad, Sundek National Accounts, Tilden, TX
First Place: Cementitious Overlays, Over 5,000 sqft

The McMullen County Splash Pad project encompassed 2,775 square feet of Classic Texture installation featuring multiple custom art elements and colors. The surface was finished with SUNDEK’s Eco Clear water-based urethane topcoat, enhanced with an aluminum oxide broadcast for added slip resistance. The installation was completed in 21 days. SUNDEK was provided with a highly detailed CAD drawing from the landscape architecture firm. To accurately replicate the artwork, we produced custom heavy-duty polyplastic templates to scale. These were hand-laid and meticulously masked following the installation of the Classic Texture system, preparing the surface for precise color application. After the initial artwork and color layout were completed, the landscape architect made significant design changes requiring a full recolor and redesign. This involved repeating the intricate masking process, reapplying the custom color layout, and recoating with the clear finish, essentially performing the detailed design work twice. The project team endured long hours in the challenging South Texas heat and wind to meet the revised expectations. The original installation cost was 37,000 dollars with an additional 16,000 dollars incurred for the redesign and recolor. Multiple custom color samples were developed for the client, and a unique three color aggregate blend was used for the final base field color of the splash pad. This project represents more than just decorative concrete. It fulfilled a century long wait for McMullen County to have its first true public recreational space. For generations, the community lacked a safe and welcoming place for children to play and families to gather, especially during the extreme South Texas summers. The splash pad now stands as a vibrant, durable, and meaningful destination that reflects the pride and resilience of a small community with big spirit.