Denton Water Works

When I top the hill and see the yellow, orange and blue slides, it takes me back to my childhood. Kids are laughing and splashing. When the Texas sun is blazing down, Water Works Park with its 17 acres of liquid fun is the escape.

The idea, of course, is to get wet. For excitement, plunge down one of the four giant Water Slides, twisting down an enclosed slide on inner tubes or blasting down a nearly vertical slide with arms and legs crossed tightly in front of you. To wind down, bob along the 600-foot-long, 15-foot-wide never-ending Winding River in an inner tube. The Natatorium provides two warmer indoor pools and there’s a 10-lane competition pool for the competitive types. If you don’t feel like getting wet, there is a regulation-sized sand volleyball court. Lounge chairs are available in and out of the sun for those who want to nap or work on their tan.

Water Works’ zero-depth-entry children’s play pool is a fun and safe place for little ones. The water-filled jungle gym is filled with interactive toys, including hoses, wheels and levers. Parents can sit close to the action alongside or in the shallow water to keep an eye on kids while they take an adventure upstairs to the castle, through tunnels below, and down straight and twisted slides, all while they are getting drenched and sprayed by lots and lots of water sprinklers.

The park stations 20 American Red Cross certified lifeguards throughout the facility at all times. “We have an amazing staff. They’re just top notch,” said Bobbie Davis, the park’s Aquatics Center manager. All five water facilities also have their own UV filtration system to clean the water, reducing the need for high chlorine levels while providing instant cleanup.

You can bring your own lunch or try the usual fare at the concession stands—hot dogs, burgers, candy, chips, Blue Bell ice cream and Dippin’ Dots. The park has plenty of tables and chairs under shaded structures. Walking over the Winding River bridge leads to a huge shaded party pavilion, which is set aside for birthday and special occasion parties.

Water Works, which is affiliated with Denton Independent School District and Denton Parks and Recreation Department, is set apart from other water parks because it is a small, intimate family park. During the summertime, it averages around 800 to 1,200 people a day. It also offers many special events, including a Splish Splash Story Time in June and July and Family Fun Night every Friday during the summer. The indoor pools are also open during the winter. Check out http://www.dentonwaterworks.com for summer opening information.

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