Otter Cove Aquatic Park to open in St. Charles

ST. CHARLES – Opportunities for summertime splashing, sliding and diving abound at the St. Charles Park District's newest aquatic facility set to open today.

Otter Cove Aquatic Park, at the corner of Campton Hills and Peck roads, is the product of a $25 million multifaceted referendum voters approved in 2008.

Its features – including a lap pool, lazy river, toddler pool, slides and zero-depth entries – were taken from the community's wish list, said Holly Cabel, superintendent of recreation.

Construction on the nearly 10-acre site began in 2009 and ended last fall, she said. Features such as the shade canopies and the orange, yellow and blue slides were installed this year, making the park more visible from the road, she said.

Staff members tested the slides, set up the shades, arranged the chairs, installed the public announcement speakers and conducted daily maintenance in the weeks and days leading up to opening day, Cabel said. She said they were ready for the first swimmers Wednesday.

"We're really just waiting for a good summer day," Cabel said, noting attendance will depend on the weather.

She said up to 22 lifeguards will monitor the visitors, who have the choice of five main areas that are connected by sidewalks and separated by green landscaping, deck areas and varying elevations.

The water features are as follows:

• Turtle Creek lazy river: Unique to the Tri-Cities, this amenity lets people drift in inner tubes along the 3-foot deep, 12-foot wide river. Dumping buckets, water cannons and a spray bar give visitors a chance to get wet from overhead.

• Frog Bog activity pool: Depths range from zero feet to 3.5 feet. Includes a frog tot slide, water geysers, a dome waterfall and spin tray.

• Dragonfly Den toddler pool: This safety gated pool has a large interactive water play feature. Its depth reaches about 2 feet.

• Crayfish Canal lap pool: This eight-lane, 25-yard pool is intended for general swimming, water aerobics, diving and lap swimming. It also has two fast, short body slides that exit in the deep end. Slide users must pass a swim test and be at least 48 inches tall.

• Salamander Slides: The curvy orange body slide exits into the Frog Bog. The yellow tube slide is fast paced and exits into the lazy river. The height requirement is 48 inches.

Each pool is heated. According to the park district, preferred temperatures range from 80-86 degrees, depending on the pool.

Swim lessons, aquatic fitness programs and other special events will be held at Otter Cove throughout the summer. A full list is available on the facility's website. Other amenities include family changing rooms, swimsuit dryers and a concession area with picnic tables. Snacks include hot dogs, burgers, pizza, deli sandwiches, fruit salad, pasta salad and fruit smoothies, according to the website.

St. Charles residents can visit Otter Cove for free on June 4, the date set for the grand opening celebration. The party is scheduled for 2 to 4 p.m. with a rain date of June 5. Water activities, games and raffles are planned.

Open swim hours through June 3

• 4 to 7 p.m. on weekdays
• 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays.
• 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays.
• Noon to 7 p.m. on holidays.

Residents and pool pass holders can beginning swimming 30 minutes before open swim on weekends and holidays.

Call 630-513-4377 or visit www.ottercove.org for other summer hours.