Cypress Cove Family Aquatic Park

Cypress Cove Family Aquatic Park (often referred to as just Cypress Cove) is a bayou-themed waterpark located in Woodridge, Illinois, operated by the Woodridge Park District.

Cypress Cove covers 8.5 acres (34,000 m2).

History

Cypress Cove was opened in 1997, at an approximate cost of $5.9 million.[1] Attendance during the first partial year of operation was around 90,000.[2]

In May 2007, the Woodridge Park District Board, by unanimous vote, approved a $3.6 million expansion. Expansion plans include the creation of a spray park for toddlers and pre-teens, improvements to the bathhouses, and the construction of a six-lane lap pool. This move came at the same time as the other pool the Park District operates, Hobson pool, was voted to be shut down due to the expense of necessary renovations. Polls showed that this proposal was favored almost 3 to 1 by Woodridge residents.[3]

Design

Cypress Cove was designed by Michael Williams, CEO Williams Architects,[4] and was designed to allow future expansion on the 8.5-acre (34,000 m2) lot.[2] Because the park was built near wetlands in the town, Cypress Cove attempted to create a bayou theme with its architecture, including creating split-level roofs, and wood facades, as well in landscaping by planting daylilies, and wild grasses. To further this cajun theme, features are given "bayou-sounding names." The designs of the buildings were inspired by a trip by Williams to the Appalachian Mountains in the Carolinas, where he saw "rustic" cabins. His sketches served as the basis for the design of many buildings in the park.[4]

Features
  • Main Pool
    • Zero-depth entrance [5]
    • 1,500-person capacity[6]
    • 12,000 square feet (1,100 m2) [6]
    • 12-foot-deep (3.7 m) diving well[6]
    • 1-meter diving board[6]
  • Three Body slides [5]
  • 10-foot (3.0 m) Drop Slide [6]
  • Tube slide [5]
  • 600-foot-long (180 m), 13-foot-wide (4.0 m) crazy River [6]
  • Kiddie Slide [5]
  • Water Bubblers[6]
  • Sand-play area [5]
  • Entertainment Stage[4]
  • Concession Stand[4]

Awards
  • Best Waterpark in Chicago - Chicago Magazine (2003)[7]
  • Favorite Summer Hotspot - 190 North (2003)[8]
  • Brochure Award - World Waterpark Association's Wave Review (2002)[5]
  • Excellence in the Aquatics Award - National Recreation & Park Association (1999)[6]
  • Daniel Flaherty Park Excellence Recognition Award (1998)[6]
  • Outstanding Aquatic Facility Award - Illinois Parks and Recreation Association (1997)[6]

References
  1. Grigas, Don (2007-07-12). "Pools making splash with warmer weather". GateHouse News Service. Archived from the original on 2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-07-30.
  2. Atlas, Ron (November 1998). "Waterparks: The wave of the Future - waterparks can help public parks - Brief Article". Parks & Recreation. Retrieved 2007-07-30.
  3. Grigas, Don (2007-05-10). "Cypress Cove opens at Hobson's expense". Woodridge Reporter. Archived from the original on 2007-05-29. Retrieved 2007-12-22.
  4. St. Clair, Stacy (2003). "Theme Schemes: Creative motifs and clever theming give waterparks and splash play areas new depth". Recreation Management. pp. 2–3. Retrieved 2007-07-30.
  5. "People and Places". Illinois Parks and Recreation. September 2003. p. 10. Archived from the original on 2006-09-03. Retrieved 2007-12-22.
  6. "Portfolio - Aquatic". Williams Construction Management. 2004. Archived from the original on 2007-10-22. Retrieved 2007-12-22.
  7. "People and Places". July 2006. p. 33. Archived from the original on 2007-06-16. Retrieved 2007-12-22.
  8. "Illinois: Cypress Cove Family Aquatic Park Recognized in Chicago Media". Parks & Recreation. October 2003. p. 73. Retrieved 2007-12-22.

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