Aurora water parks open for 'staycation' season

Aurora's Splash Country Water Park and Phillips Park Family Aquatic Center open at 10 a.m. today for the summer season.

With sunny skies and near 80-degree temperatures, parks officials are counting on a good day at the turnstiles.

Both water parks will be open daily through mid-August. Hours are from noon to 7 p.m. Sundays to Fridays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays.

Looking further into the future, however, spokesman Jeff Long said both parks are counting on rising gas prices to keep their attendance up through the summer.

"Everyone is used to taking some sort of exotic summer vacation or driving all over the country to go to the great water parks but you can't do that at $4.20 a gallon," Long said Friday. "So we're really pushing the idea of the 'staycations' where people stay local and, hopefully, come out to our parks."

To help get people in, Long said admission rates for both parks will hold at last season's prices.

Costs for Fox Valley Park District residents are $7 on weekdays and $8 on weekends for ages 13 and older; $6 on weekdays and $7 on weekends for children ages 2 to 12. Nonresident admission is $1 more for each. Twilight rates, senior discounts and combination admissions also are available.

Long said the season passes, which allow unlimited admission to both water parks, cost $60 for residents ages 13 and older and $55 for children ages 2 to 12.

Long said finishing touches, including coats of fresh paint and the installation of new concessions furniture at both parks, was completed Friday.

"We're ready to go, ready for a great year at the water parks," he said.

Both water parks are cooperatively owned by the Fox Valley Park District and city of Aurora. Splash Country is at 195 S. Barnes Road on Aurora's west side. Phillips Park is at 828 Montgomery Road in the southeast portion of Aurora.

For more information, go to foxvalleyparkdistrict.org.