Cypress Cove

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.

History

Cypress cove was opened in 1997, at an approximate cost of $5.9 million.cite web |url=http://www.chicagosuburbannews.com/romeoville/homepage/x1181170192 |title=Pools making splash with warmer weather |accessdate=2007-07-30 |last=Grigas |first=Don |date=2007-07-12 |publisher=GateHouse News Service] . Attendance during the first partial year of operation was around 90,000.cite web |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1145/is_1998_Nov/ai_53331474 |title=Waterparks: The wave of the Future - waterparks can help public parks - Brief Article |accessdate=2007-07-30 |last=Atlas |first=Ron |year=1998 |month=November |publisher=Parks & Recreation]

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. Construction is expected to begin in August 2008, and be finished for the 2009 summer opening. 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.cite web |url=http://www.chicagosuburbannews.com/woodridge/news/x1825464402 |title=Cypress Cove opens at Hobson’s expense |accessdate=2007-12-22 |last=Grigas |first=Don |date=2007-05-10 |publisher=Woodridge Reporter]

Design

Cypress Cove was designed by Michael Williams, CEO Williams Architects,cite web |url=http://www.recmanagement.com/features.php?fid=200309fe02 |title=Theme Schemes: Creative motifs and clever theming give waterparks and splash play areas new depth |accessdate=2007-07-30 |last=St. Clair |first=Stacy |year=2003 |publisher=Recreation Management |pages=pp.2-3] and was designed to allow future expansion on the convert|8.5|acre|m2|sing=on lot. 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.

Features

*Main Pool
**Zero-depth entrance
**1,500 person capacity
**convert|12000|sqft|m2
**convert|12|ft deep diving well
**1 meter diving board
*3 Body slides
*convert|10|ft Drop Slide
*Tube slide
*convert|600|ft long, convert|13|ft|m|abbr=on wide Lazy River
*Kiddie Slide
*Water Bubblers
*Sand-play area
*Entertainment Stage
*Concession Stand

Awards

*Best Waterpark in Chicago - Chicago Magazine (2003)cite web |url=http://www.lib.niu.edu/ipo/2006/ip060733.html |title=People and Places |accessdate=2007-12-22 |year=2006 |month=July |pages=p. 33]
*Favorite Summer Hotspot - 190 North (2003)cite web |url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1145/is_10_38/ai_110737129 |title=Illinois: Cypress Cove Family Aquatic Park Recognized in Chicago Media |accessdate=2007-12-22 |year=2003 |month=October |publisher=Parks & Recreation |pages=p. 73]
*Brochure Award - World Waterpark Association's Wave Review (2002)cite web |url=http://www.lib.niu.edu/ipo/2003/ip030910.html |title=People and Places |accessdate=2007-12-22 |year=2003 |month=September |publisher=Illinois Parks and Recreation |pages=p. 10]
*Excellence in the Aquatics Award - National Recreation & Park Association (1999)cite web |url=http://www.williams-architects.com/aquatic.html |title=Portfolio - Aquatic |accessdate=2007-12-22 |year=2004 |publisher=Williams Construction Management]
*Daniel Flaherty Park Excellence Recognition Award (1998)
*Outstanding Aquatic Facility Award - Illinois Parks and Recreation Association (1997)

References

External links

* [http://www.woodridgeparks.org/cypresscove/index.htm Official Park District Page]