Water park

{{Short description|Amusement park that features pools with water play areas}} {{About||the American band|Waterparks (band)|the title in the Peerage of Ireland|Baron Waterpark}}

[[File:WDW Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool.JPG|thumb|right|Typhoon Lagoon at Walt Disney World is the most visited water park in North America, and the second most visited in the world]] alt=Aerial photo of an outdoor water park featuring pools, water slides, buildings, and surrounding green areas.|thumb|Aerial view of an outdoor water park

A '''water park''' (also '''waterpark''', '''water world''', or '''aquapark''') is an amusement park that features water play areas such as swimming pools, water slides, splash pads, water playgrounds, and lazy rivers, as well as areas for floating, bathing, swimming, and other barefoot environments. Modern water parks may also be equipped with some type of artificial surfing or bodyboarding environment, such as a wave pool or flowrider.

==History== [[File:Waterworld Waterpark - panoramio.jpg|thumb|right|Children's play area at WaterWorld Themed Waterpark in Ayia Napa, Cyprus]]

Water parks have grown in popularity since their roots of public swimming pools in the late 1940s and early 1950s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-16 |title=Brief history of water parks |url=https://amusementlogic.com/general-news/brief-history-of-water-parks/ |access-date=2024-08-12 |website=Amusement Logic |language=en-US}}</ref> The United States has the largest and most concentrated water park market, with over 1,000 water parks and dozens of new parks opening each year. Major organizations are the IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions) and WWA (World Waterpark Association), which is the industry trade association.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nfpa.org/press-room/news-releases/2014/nfpa-announces-launch-of-online-smoke-alarm-pledge-in-partnership-with-legoland |title=NFPA announces launch of online smoke alarm pledge in partnership with LEGOLAND Florida Resort and LEGOLAND California Resort |access-date=2014-09-03 |archive-date=2014-09-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905065354/http://www.nfpa.org/press-room/news-releases/2014/nfpa-announces-launch-of-online-smoke-alarm-pledge-in-partnership-with-legoland |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Water parks which emerge from spas tend to more closely resemble mountain resorts, as they become year-round destinations. For example, Splash Universe Water Park Resort is themed to match the community in which it is located. The theme is intended to enhance the community's destination appeal. Therefore, the amusement and leisure-time industry is becoming more concentrated, as winter sports are becoming common themes in summertime water recreation.

A process of concentration can be observed in the hybrid versions of theme-, amusement-, and water parks. Some water parks are more spa-oriented. For example, SchwabenQuellen has no water slides; it has instead many saunas, steam rooms, "adventure showers", and relaxation-oriented water play areas.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}}

In the 2000s, an effort was made to reduce long waiting lines by introducing conveyor belts to lift passengers<ref>This feature was applied at Caribbean Bay Wild River zone, Everland Resort, South Korea</ref> or use water jets.<ref>This feature was applied at Wild Wadi in Jumeirah Hotel, Dubai</ref>

An unusual feature at a water park is ice skating. Deep River Water Park in northwestern Indiana features ice skating, made possible by cooling pipes installed under their massive plaza.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deepriverwaterpark.com/|title=Deep River Waterpark - NW Indiana, Chicagoland & So. Michigans Largest|website=deep-river-waterpark}}</ref>

==Indoor water parks== {{main|Indoor water park}}

thumb|right|A modern indoor water park in China

Some of the first indoor water parks are {{Interlanguage link|Tikibad|nl|vertical-align=sup}} at Duinrell (The Netherlands, 1984), Nautiland located at Haguenau (France, 1984), the Aqua Mundo at Center Parc De Eemhof located at Zeewolde (The Netherlands, 1980) and {{Interlanguage link|Alpamare (Pfäffikon)|de|vertical-align=sup}} (Switzerland, 1977).<ref>{{cite web|language=nl|url=https://www.omroepwest.nl/nieuws/3859966/Tikibad-Duinrell-breidt-uit-naar-buiten-en-is-daarna-nog-lang-niet-af|title=Tikibad Duinrell breidt uit naar buiten en is daarna nog lang niet af|author=Rogier van der Zanden|publisher=Omroep West|date=June 28, 2019|access-date=September 24, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|language=fr|date= 1986|title= Parcs de loisirs|url= https://www.unipef.org/revue/fusion/709-pcm-1986-1986-05-ch00.pdf|journal= P.C.M. Ponts et Chaussées et Mines |location= Paris|publisher=Association professionnelle des ingénieurs des Ponts et Chaussées et Mines|issue= 5|pages= 50|issn=0397-4634|oclc=473874833|access-date=September 29, 2019}}</ref><ref> {{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/how-centre-parcs-opened-my-eyes-8046698.html|title=How Centre Parcs opened my eyes|author=Tracey Davies|newspaper=The Independent|date=August 15, 2012|access-date=September 24, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|language=de|url=https://www.nzz.ch/die_freude_der_kinder_ist_die_gleiche_geblieben-1.798248|title="Die Freude der Kinder ist die gleiche geblieben"|newspaper=Neue Zürcher Zeitung|date=August 4, 2008|access-date=September 24, 2019}}</ref>

In 1986 World Waterpark was open in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada at the West Edmonton Mall.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bramptonguardian.com/news-story/8583299-throwback-thursday-brampton-s-shoppers-world-was-first-in-canada-to-build-indoor-water-slide/|title=Throwback thursday: Brampton's Shoppers World was first in Canada to build indoor water slide|newspaper=Brampton Guardian|date=May 3, 2018|access-date=September 24, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/west-edmonton-mall-waterpark-1.4852500|title=Taking a deep dive into the history of WEM's waterpark|publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|date=October 9, 2018|access-date=September 24, 2019}}</ref> It is in 2016 the largest indoor water park in North America.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/31/travel/worlds-best-water-parks/ |title=12 of the world's best water parks |last=Hinson |first=Tamara |date=July 31, 2013 |publisher=CNN |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://6thfloor.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/07/26/where-can-i-find-the-largest-indoor-water-park/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0 |title=Where Can I Find the Largest Indoor Water Park? |date=July 26, 2012 |work=The 6th Floor |publisher=The New York Times |access-date=May 18, 2014}}</ref>

Tropical Islands Resort (Germany), with an area of {{convert|66000|m2|sqft|0|abbr=on}}, is in 2016 the largest indoor water park in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.touropia.com/largest-indoor-water-parks-in-the-world/|title=6 Largest Indoor Water Parks in the World|website=Touropia|access-date=2016-05-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|language=fr|url=https://www.lapresse.ca/voyage/destinations/europe/allemagne/201402/03/01-4735155-sous-les-tropiques-en-allemagne.php|title=Sous les tropiques... en Allemagne|author=Eloi Rouyer|newspaper=La Presse|date=February 3, 2014|access-date=September 24, 2019}}</ref>

With five indoor water parks, Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin has been dubbed the "Water Park Capital of the World". It showcases several of America's largest indoor and outdoor water parks, such as Noah's Ark Water Park. Wisconsin Dells is also home to the first indoor water park in the United States, which was debuted in 1994 by the Polynesian Resort Hotel.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Wisconsin Dells: The Waterpark Capital of the World|url=https://www.tripsavvy.com/wisconsin-dells-waterparks-3224754|access-date=2021-07-25|website=TripSavvy|language=en}}</ref>

Success in extending the tourist season and turning water park resorts into vacation destinations has resulted in tremendous industry growth. Usually, resort hotels featuring massive indoor water parks have been reserved for overnight guests. Companies like Great Wolf Resorts/Great Wolf Lodge and Kalahari Resorts have branched out from their origin in Wisconsin Dells to open new locations around the country. Mt. Olympus Theme and Water Park (formerly Family Land) is another huge water park in the Dells.

The largest indoor water park in the UK is Sandcastle Water Park in Blackpool, England, which opened in 1986.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sandcastle-waterpark.co.uk/|title=Sandcastle Waterpark is the UKs Largest Indoor Waterpark|website=www.sandcastle-waterpark.co.uk}}</ref>

There are many water parks in southern Europe where the climate suits a long season. For example, in Portugal's Algarve, there are three main parks: Aqualand, Aquashow, and Slide and Splash.

==Water play areas== Water play areas are similar to water parks and include urban beaches, splash pads, and smaller collections of water slides in many hotels and public swimming pools.

For example, the Chelsea Hotel in Toronto features a four-story water slide called the Corkscrew.

== Safety == According to estimates from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 4,200 people annually are sent to emergency rooms from suffering injuries on public waterslides. In July 2015, one drowning and at least three near-drownings were reported at water parks in the United States.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Schneider|first=Roger|date=2016-08-08|title=Safety issues, statistics about water parks in the US|url=https://apnews.com/article/219da8e7a67647608cc00fae13a91583|access-date=2021-07-31|website=Associated Press}}</ref>

On August 7, 2016, Caleb Schwab, the 10-year-old son of American politician Scott Schwab, was decapitated on the Verrückt water ride at the Schlitterbahn water park in Kansas City, Kansas.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Sudekum|first=Maria|date=2016-08-10|title=10-year-old boy who died on Kansas waterslide was decapitated: report|url=https://globalnews.ca/news/2875046/10-year-old-boy-who-died-on-kansas-waterslide-was-decapitated-report/|access-date=2021-07-31|website=Global News|language=en-US}}</ref> Following the fatal incident, Verrückt permanently closed.<ref name="TM">{{cite news|last1=Hollandsworth|first1=Skip|title=Schlitterbahn's Tragic Slide|work=Texas Monthly|url=https://getpocket.com/explore/item/schlitterbahn-s-tragic-slide}}</ref>

== Gallery == <gallery mode="packed"> File:Wrocławski Park Wodny - Baseny Rekreacyjne 2.jpg|Aquapark Wrocław in Wrocław, Poland File:Meymadion.jpg|Meymadion in near Tel Aviv, Israel File:Espoo, Finland - panoramio - Андрей Бобровский.jpg|Serena Waterpark in Lahnus, Espoo, Finland File:Swimming-pool.jpg|A water park with a wave pool File:Sunway Lagoon2013 1.jpg|Aerial view of the Sunway Lagoon in Bandar Sunway, Malaysia File:Kuwait - Aqua Park.jpg|Aqua Park, water-theme park in Kuwait City, Kuwait File:Fasouri Watermania Water Park Limassol.jpg|Fasouri Watermania Water Park in Limassol, Cyprus File:Hershey Park - The Boardwalk.JPG|Hersheypark's boardwalk, Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States File:Cedar Point splash area.jpg|A splash area at Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio, U.S. File:Super Tubes Hydrocoaster and The Green Room at WhiteWater World.jpg|WhiteWater World in Queensland, Australia File:Innenansicht im Tropical Islands.jpg|Tropical Islands Resort in Krausnick, Germany File:The World Waterpark - Edmonton.jpg|alt=World Waterpark in Edmonton, Alberta, North America's largest indoor water park|World Waterpark in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, North America's second largest indoor water park File:Breakwater Beach.jpg|Breakwater Beach water park in Seaside Heights, New Jersey, U.S. File:Dinosauria water slides.jpg|Dinosauria Water Slides at Visulahti in Mikkeli, Finland File:Raging Waters Wildwood.jpg|Raging Waters water park at Morey's Piers in Wildwood, New Jersey, U.S. (taken from the Ferris wheel) File:Waterpark - panoramio (1).jpg|A small waterpark File:Cultus Lake Waterpark panorama.jpg|A panoramic view of Cultus Lake Waterpark, Cultus Lake, British Columbia, Canada File:Fun Mountain Waterpark, Winnipeg (390386) (9441812903).jpg|Fun Mountain Waterpark, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada </gallery>

== See also == * Indoor water park * List of water parks * Waterparks (band)

== References == {{Reflist}}

==Further reading== {{commons category}} * {{cite journal|last=O'Niell|first=Karen|title=The International Politics of National Parks|date=December 1996|volume=24}} * {{cite journal|last=Young|first=Terrance|title=Modern Urban Parks|journal=Geographical Review|date=October 1995|jstor=215924|volume=85|issue=4|pages=535–551|doi=10.2307/215924|bibcode=1995GeoRv..85..535Y }}

{{Amusement Parks}} {{Authority control}}

Category:Water parks