MAKE A SPLASH

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IT’S FLORIDA. IT’S SUMMER. AND IT’S HOT. THOSE ARE THE BEST REASONS TO SEEK OUT SOME COOL, WATER-FILLED FUN. IF THE BIG WATER PARKS AND LONG LINES DON’T SOUND APPEALING, CHECK OUT SOME OF OUR FAVORITE IDEAS FOR SPENDING THE DAY SPLASHING AROUND. SO GO AHEAD, GRAB YOUR TOWEL AND GET GOING! *

Looking for a fun, free, easy way to cool down? Check out one of Marion County’s interactive splash pads. Open daily, sunrise to sunset. For questions about the splash pads, call (352) 368-5517. The parks’ will remain open for the 2021 season until November 14.

OCALA CITIZENS’ CIRCLE

Restrooms are available at the Downtown Ocala Splash Pad and at City Hall between 8am and 5pm Monday through Friday. The water features turn on when the little ones step on a foot switch to activate the fun. While visiting the splash pad, guests are encouraged to park at the parking garage across the street on the corner of Osceola Avenue and Fort King Street.

Ocala's Citizens' Circle // 151 SE Osceola Avenue, Ocala

LILY’S SPLASH PAD

Lily's Splash Pad, located in Lillian Bryant Park in Belleview, is lled with fun water features guaranteed to cool you o . The shooting geysers, tipping buckets and fun characters will leave your little one exhausted and ready for a nap! The park also o ers basketball courts, a covered pavilion with picnic tables, a playground, walking path and a baseball eld.

Lily's Splash Pad (inside Lillian Bryant Park)

// 2200 NW 17th Place, Belleview

AQUATIC CENTERS

Ocala’s two aquatic fun centers are once again open for the summer season. Both centers will be open seven days a week and o er a variety of aquatic programs, including swimming lessons, junior lifeguard training, adult lap swim hours and more.

Because of COVID, new safety measures have been put in place, including reduced capacity at the pools, limited table rentals, and temperature and health screenings upon entry. Social distancing will be strongly encouraged, and group settings will be by reservation only. The facilities will be cleaned daily as well. Both facilities o er a zerodepth entry, along with a fun lled splash area for the kids and a waterslide.

Two swim sessions will be o ered Mondays through Saturdays. A morning session will

EPPERSON LAGOON

BUCCANEER BAY

take place from 10am-1pm and an afternoon session from 2-5pm. One session will be o ered on Sundays, from 1-5pm. Swim session admission is $2 for children ages 17 and under and $3 per adult, ages 18 and up. To register for any upcoming programs, including swim lessons, visit ocala .org/aquatics.

Jervey Gantt Aquatic Fun Center // 2390 SE 36th Avenue // ocala .org/aquatics

Hampton Aquatic Fun Center // 255 NW Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd // ocala .org/aquatics

ADVENTURE AWAITS

THE LIFT ADVENTURE PARK, HUDSON FLORIDA

The website boasts the largest in atable water park in Florida, so that’s reason enough to go check it out! The Union Aqua Park will have you running, climbing, jumping, swinging and sliding your way into fun. You can book online, but be aware that same-day reservations are not available. The $15 admission price will get you 45 minutes on the park. Participants must be at least 7 years old and 45 inches tall to explore the obstacle course. There is limited capacity in the park, and tickets can be purchased online up to two weeks in advance. The Lift Adventure Park also o ers paddleboarding and kayaking on the springfed lake, plus the Wake Park where you can try your hand at wakeboarding. The opportunity is available whether you are a complete newbie or a seasoned wakeboarder.

The Lift Adventure Park // 17362 Old Dixie Hwy., Hudson // theliftadventurepark.com

LAKE NONA ADVENTURE PARK

The aqua park at Nona Adventure Park will get your adrenalin pumping as you work your way through the 1,000-foot in atable obstacle course. Some of the challenges include the Whirlpool, Ninja Jump, Tire Run and not one but two Mt. Rainers, to name a few. Kids must be 5 years old to climb the course, and kids 5 through 8 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Each Aqua Park experience begins with a safety brie ng and sessions begin at 50 minutes. Aqua Guides, who are certi ed in rst aid, are placed throughout the course to help when needed.

Lake Nona Adventure Park //

14086 Centerline Drive, Orlando // nonaadventurepark.com This place has it all! First things rst, check out the 10,000-square-foot, 40 feature obstacle course complete with a beach area and lifeguards on duty. The course has three skill levels, and the minimum age to try the course is 6. Private, group and regular sessions are available, and pricing starts at $23 for one 50-minute session and $33 for a 100-minute session. Save a little dough by booking ahead online.

OWC also o ers wakeboarding, kneeboarding, tubing and so much more. Doesn’t even matter if you’ve never done it before. Lessons are available for most ages and are totally worth the day trip. The Get Up Guarantee will have you on your feet in no time and includes 15 minutes of one-on-one training, a private cable and a four-hour cable pass for $69. There is so much more to see and do at Orlando Watersports Complex, so check out the website for more details.

Orlando Watersports Complex // 8615 Florida Rock Rd., Orlando // orlandowatersports.com

BUCCANEER BAY AT WEEKI WACHEE SPRINGS STATE PARK

Located inside Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Buccaneer Bay is a relaxed water park unlike any other. The two water umes, the Cannonball and the Pirate’s Revenge, empty right into the springs themselves, making for a very refreshing splashdown.

While at the park, rent an innertube for the day and enjoy a cool, lazy oat around the clear spring waters. Bring your snorkel and an underwater camera to catch the underwater marine life, or just enjoy the day swimming in the springs and lounging on the sandy white beach. For peace of mind, certi ed lifeguards are on duty throughout the park. For the littlest members of your group, check out the Lil’ Mates Caribbean Cove, a fun water play area and wading pool for kids 6 and under.

Buccaneer Bay at Weeki Wachee Springs

State Park // 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill// oridastateparks.org

TAKE A DAYCATION

If you desire a day away but don’t want to fork out the cash to make it an overnight stay, check out resortpass.com or dayaxe.com. These helpful websites allow you to explore cities and states, searching out resorts that have the amenities you are looking for. Depending on the resort, day passes can begin as low as $15 and can exceed $100. Florida is known for its family-friendly hotels, many featuring water slides, resort-style pools, lazy rivers and more. One of our local favorites for the kiddos is CoCo Key Resort in Orlando. For $41.95 per person, you can enjoy a day at the water park featuring 14 slides and rides. Children under 36 inches tall are complimentary, and a face covering will be required for all guests over the age of 3 to enter the park.

LIVE THE LAGOON LIFESTYLE

EPPERSON LAGOON, WESLEY CHAPEL

You don’t have to live in Wesley Chapel to enjoy the bene ts of the crystal-clear Epperson Lagoon. And the experience is worth the short day-trip south. The 7.5-acre, crystalclear blue waters o er endless relaxation and entertainment opportunities.

“For a fee, the general public can come and enjoy the day,” says Discovery Tour Supervisor Vicki Perrington. “It’s like a little slice of paradise.”

Your lagoon day pass (which costs $35 for adults and $28 for children) will allow you access to the lagoon itself, Slidezilla, the three-story in atable slide; family lawn games, beach toys, the swim-up bar and beach volleyball. To make your stay super comfy, consider renting a private mini tiki, cabana or aquabana.

The lagoon’s depth ranges from zero entry to 12 feet. Vicki says that the swim areas are in the 4-foot range, while the kayaking and paddleboarding areas range from 8-10 feet. And yes, paddleboards and kayaks are available for rental on-site for just $11 plus tax for an hour. Another popular lagoon activity is the Wibit Obstacle Course, which will also run you $11.

Epperson Lagoon // 31885 Overpass Road, Wesley Chapel // lagooninformation.com

* Be sure to check with each park or facility for up-to-date information, rules and regulations.