Community Corner

New Diving Well, Splash Pad at Lions Park Pool Has Park Officials Excited

Clarendon Hills Park District Board President Greg Johnson said the new diving well, complete with drop-slide, will hopefully increase the number of older kids using the pool this summer.

Clarendon Hills Park District Board President Greg Johnson said the Lions Park Pool is the district's biggest asset.

"It draws the [largest] amount of people. It really gets great utilization," he said.

One year after the pool on Byrd Court debuted a new play structure in 2012, Johnson is excited about the popular summer spot's two new amenities that are expected to be ready for its May 25 opening—a new splash pad replacing the old baby pool, and a diving well that includes a 1-meter diving board, a 3-meter diving board, and a drop-slide.

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Park district executive director Don Scheltens said the splash pad will feature a zero-depth entry and several bubblers and fogjets which are meant to appeal to younger kids.

"There will be dancing waters that kids can run through," Scheltens said.

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The diving well, meanwhile, is meant to increase the number of older kids using the pool. 

"The trouble was once our kids got to 9 or 10 or 11, there was nothing for the kids," Johnson said, pointing out that the existing slide is a great feature but has lost its luster with older kids over the years. "It's a great opportunity to really capture those kids and keep them here."

The board president said diving lessons, scuba lessons, and deepwater aerobics are among the activities planned for the new diving well.

"It’s really going to be a great opportunity," Johnson said.

Scheltens said the addition are being paid for with revenue from the park district's 2010 referendum that kept tax rates the same despite a 20-year bond coming off the books.   

Pool passes went on sale March 18. Seasonal family passes for residents this summer are $285. A "Family Plus" pass is $325 and includes 10 guest passes.

See all the rates here in the Clarendon Hills Park District Summer 2013 program.


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