SUMMER WATER RECREATION ATTRACTIONS
1. Splash Zone Aquatic Center: 300 Eagle City Road, Springfield, (937) 324-7665: Daily fees are $7 for adults, $5 for youth ages 4-17 and children 3-and-under are free. An individual season pass for ages 14-and-over is $75 for Clark County residents and $95 for non-residents. Seniors (60-and-over) are $65/$85, youth (ages 4-13) $55/$75 and family of four $250/$310.
Website: ntprdsplashzone.phantomgolf.com
2. Mad River Adventures: 5605 Lower Valley Pike in Springfield; (937) 882-6925; Open at 9a.m. daily starting Memorial Day weekend; Canoe trips: a 1½-trip is $15 per person; 3 hours is $17.50; 4 hours is $20; all day (5-6 hours) is $22.50; Kayak trips: a 1½-trip is $20 per person; 3 hours is $26; 4 hours is $30; all day (5-6 hours) is $35; Tube trips: 2 to 3 hours trip is $12. All-day trips require 24-hour notice.
Website: madriveradventures.com
3. New Carlisle City Pool: 301 E. Lake Ave., New Carlisle; (937) 845-8116.
Call for pool hours and rates
4. South Charleston City Pool: 208 E. Columbus Road, South Charleston; (937) 462-9137.
Call for pool hours and rates
Not only are temperatures on the rise with the arrival of summer, but so too are the number of outdoor water recreational opportunities in Clark County.
With the addition of a sprayground at Snyder Park, and the recent reopening of Mad River Adventures and addition of whitewater rafting on Buck Creek, getting wet while staying cool is an easier proposition for local residents.
Bethie’s Sprayground is a free zero-depth water attraction in Snyder Park that opened Memorial Day and will stay open through Labor Day. It had its grand opening late last summer.
“We had a lot of delays with the rains and construction problems.” said Leann Castillo, Director of the National Trail Parks and Recreation District. “We weren’t able to open until late in August, but it was packed every day it was open.”
Another newer, budget-friendly outdoor water option is the six-mile stretch of Buck Creek known as the ECO Sports Corridor, which hosts activities like whitewater rafting and stand-up paddle boarding.
According to the ECO website, “boaters can paddle nine whitewater features as they pass below the Springfield Regional Medical Center. A natural limestone-shelf rapids further upstream finishes up a six-mile expedition that runs from Buck Creek State Park, through downtown and to the Mad River.”
Fall weekend releases from C.J. Brown Dam & Reservoir through the Army Corps of Engineers through November offer exciting whitewater challenges.
“Over the past several years, adventure recreation has become more popular across the U.S.,” said Castillo. “The city of Springfield recognized this and took steps to take advantage of it.
“Buck Creek is a huge asset for our community, and we needed to capitalize on it,“” she continued. “I think it is a great thing for this area.”
The Splash Zone Aquatic Center includes the only outdoor community pool in Springfield. It also has water slides and a connection to the Simon Kenton Trail for bike riding.
Opening weekend was May 23-25, and will operate daily through Aug. 16. The reason for the early closing date is most employees have to go back to school, according to Castillo.
Splash Zone also offers swimming lessons, fitness programs, shelter rental and other special programs. Hours are from noon-7 p.m. on most dates, but will close at 6 on some dates due to special events that are booked.
“We feel it is a good asset to our community,” Castillo said.
Last year, Splash Zone had more than 30,000 visitors, just 5,000 off its highest attendance. Castillo said that among the factors that helped attendance was the Northridge swimming pool closing and the timing of last summer’s bad weather was mostly later in the day.
Increased rental business has also helped the bottom line.
“Groups can come the last hour of operation and stay two hours past closing time,“ Castillo said. “Some organizations have rented it out and used it as a fundraiser or for summer parties.”
About $750,000 has been invested in Snyder Park the last three years, according to Castillo. The spray ground is next to a new playground in an area that is called Speedway Children’s Park. Other Snyder Park additions include the Central Bark dog park and five acres of gardens spread out through a 20-acre plot of the land.
The former Aaron’s Canoe and Kayaks opened under new ownership as Mad River Adventures in 2013. The canoe and kayak business on the Mad River is open daily through Labor Day, plus all weekends in September.
“Last year was rough at times, but I can‘t complain,” said owner Deron Castle. “It takes a few years for us to get the word out that we’re open again.”
Fortunately, the business’ main attraction never closes and has a great reputation.
“I think the Mad River itself brings the people back,” said Castle. “It is different than any river in the area. It is spring fed, which keeps it crystal clear. It has a natural 3-4 mph current to it, so that is good for a beginner. You don’t have to do too much work to enjoy.
“It is also the number one trout stream in Ohio,” he continued. “Just last weekend, one guy caught a 7-pounder. It was the most beautiful fish I have ever seen.”
Mad River Adventures rents canoes, kayaks and tubes for excursions on Mad River.
“It’s my 19th year working this river, so I guess it is in my blood,” said Castle. “For 5½ months, it consumes me.”
New Carlisle and South Charleston also have public pools, rounding out the county’s outdoor water facilities.
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