Newsday.com: A big splash for less cash

PUBLIC POOLS

A big splash for less cash

BY PAT BURSON
pat.burson@newsday.com

July 3, 2008

Kids looking to splash around in the water this summer don't have to journey too far from home - or fork over too big a bundle - if they want to get wet.

If your family is not up for the hike out to Splish Splash water park in Riverhead, several community parks in Nassau and Suffolk have livened up their swimming facilities with water slides, sprays, water guns and waterfalls. There's something for everybody in the family. Sure, none of them are Splish Splash, but the entrance fees are a fraction of the cost.

Here are a few suggestions:

Cantiague Park, West John Street, Hicksville

PHONE 516-571-7056
WEB www.nassaucountyny.gov
HOURS 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily
COST $5-$7 residents; $15-$20 nonresidents

The park offers two 30-foot water slides, a diving pool, a kiddie pool (called the "puddle" for kids to splash around in), a training pool and an interactive water-play area.

Wantagh Park, King Road, south of Merrick Road, Wantagh
PHONE 516-571-7460
WEB www.nassaucountyny.gov
HOURS 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
COST $5-$7 residents; $15-$20 nonresidents

This 111-acre property features an interactive water-play area for ages 3 to 10, with water guns, a water spout, a waterfall and a short footbridge. It also has a diving pool, an 8-to-18-inch-deep pool for tots, training pool (for ages 3 to 7), an interactive water-play area with lots of toys and two 30-foot water slides. The slides recently were gel-coated "so it's definitely slipping and sliding really well," says Wantagh park director Mary Schroeder.

Note: In Nassau, residents need a valid Leisure Pass, $25, for entrance to county-run parks.

Venetian Shores Park, Granada Parkway, Lindenhurst
PHONE 631-956-0066
WEB townofbabylon.com
HOURS 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily
COST $15-$30 one-time fee for town residents; nonresidents $15-$25 per car

Kids of all ages can splash around this new water spray park run by the Town of Babylon near the Great South Bay. Features include water buckets, cannons, slides and ocean animal theme.

Tanner Park, Kerrigan Road, Copiague
PHONE 631-893-2100
WEB townofbabylon.com
HOURS 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
COST Town residents buy a beach sticker ($15-$30); nonresidents ($15-$25).

Near Great South Bay, this water spray park features water slides and a treehouse theme, with apple trees and sea turtles.

Phelps Lane Pool, 151 Phelps Lane, North Babylon
PHONE 631-669-4654
WEB townofbabylon.com
HOURS To July 25: Noon to 8 p.m. weekdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekends and holidays. July 26 to Sept.1: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
COST Residents buy a beach sticker (season pool plans $25-$125); nonresidents ($10 per day).

This water playground has a jungle gym and huge two slides for tykes up to 48 inches tall.

FOR MORE

Indoor summer swimming

WHERE Nassau County Aquatic Center, East Meadow
WHEN 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily
PHONE 516-572-0501
COST $3-$5 residents; $6-$10 nonresidents

When it's too hot outside even for swimming, seek shelter (and central air) at the Nassau County Aquatic Center in Eisenhower Park. The pool has plenty of room for open swimming as well as diving platforms and springboards.