Water, Water Everywhere

Finally, the weather is warming up and soon it will be HOT! About the time the kids are out of school, it will be swimsuit season for real. Few of us are blessed with a backyard pool, but fortunately, many of ILLINOISouth’s communities have built splash pads, pools and wonderful aquatic centers that are open to the public. In an effort to keep our residents and visitors calm, cool and collected, here’s a sample of some of the best places to get wet no matter where you are in ILLINOISouth!

O'Fallon Splash Pad

Pelican Cove, Robinson

WESTERN

Splash Pads: DUPO SPLASH PAD Grand Opening May 25. Cool down with 5 above ground and 14 below ground spray features with a fenced in Pavilion. Contact Village Hall for private party rentals. Dupo Park, Bluffview Elementary Ln. villageofdupo.org

NATIONAL SHRINE OF OUR LADY OF THE SNOWS The Splash Pad at the playground is surrounded by a walkway colorfully depicting the story of Creation. 442 S. DeMazenod Dr., Belleville www.snows.org

O’FALLON SPORTS PARK The free Splash Pad is located near an all-weather synthetic playground designed for toddlers, and a premium family playground. The Park offers many other amenities including soccer fields, pavilions and more. Exit 14 off Interstate 64, O’Fallon ofallonfamilysportspark.com/sportspark

SWANSEA SPLASH PAD & SWANSEA KINGDOM The Medieval Castle has lots of secret passages, a tic-tac-toe board, and a climbing wall along with the usual swings, monkey bars and slides. Nearby, the Splash Pad is a perfect spot to cool off after fighting dragons and knights in shining armor. Schranz Memorial Park, 377 Honeysuckle Lane, Swansea swanseail.org/parksAndRecreation. html

THE REC COMPLEX - OPENING SPRING 2019 This new facility’s four lane zero entry pool has certified lifeguards, exercise classes, swimming lessons, and more! Enjoy a few twists and turns on the waterslide, create some fun on the splash pad, and dominate a game of water volleyball or basketball before a relaxing float in the lazy river. Bunkum Rd., Fairview Heights recfh.com

WILSON PARK Not just a pool, this outdoor swimming complex/aquatic center includes a corkscrew slide, one meter diving board, zero-depth entry beach, kids pool with a frog slide, water sprays and a teardrop waterfall. 2900 Benton St., Granite City granitecity.illinois.gov

Wilson Park, Granite City

KORTE RECREATION CENTER In addition to the indoor pool, there’s an indoor slide and toddler play feature with special Toddler Times, where little ones can enjoy the area without the big kids around! Swim classes and recreational swim hours available. 1 Nagel Dr., Highland highlandil.gov

MCKENDREE METRO RECPLEX Zero depth entry in the recreation pool gradually increases to a depth of four feet. Perfect for anyone with mobility issues or parents with small children. Another section of the pool features two lap lanes with a constant depth of 4 ½ feet. The final section features four deep-water lap lanes with depths ranging from 5 feet to 6 feet. The competition pool has ten lanes ranging in depth from 8 ft. to 14 ft. with two one meter diving platforms and one five meter platform. There is seating for 600 spectators for events. Hwy 50 at Troy Scott Rd., O’Fallon MetroRecPlex.com

CENTRAL

CENTRALIA RECREATION COMPLEX The competition pool has six 25-yard lanes available for your swimming workout. The CRCY swim team and the Barracudas train and compete in this pool. The 2,000 square ft. family pool is heated and designed for leisure swimming. Kids love the raindrop fountain and water slide. The pool is surrounded by a lounging deck where parents can comfortably watch while children swim. 115 E. Second St., Centralia centraliarecreationcomplex.com

BRYAN FAMILY AQUATIC CENTER The center has an eight-lane, 25-meter lap pool with one and three meter springboard diving and zero depth entry. What child wouldn’t love the children’s interactive play feature with tipping bucket, waterslide and water cannons, a waterslide plunge pool with two slides, the tropical-themed lily pad walk, and a 720 sq. ft. tot pool with a play feature? Bryan Memorial Park, Salem salemfamilyaquaticcenter.us

EASTERN

MT. CARMEL MEMORIAL POOL It’s known for its zero entry feature, meaning you can walk directly into the pool without the use of a ladder or steps. The pool features a fountain center, two small slides, and a kiddie pool section. Also, in the 11ft area there is a springboard, a high dive, and a large slide. 369 County Rd. 1100 E. wabashcountychamber.com

NEWTON AQUATIC CENTER A new aquatic center opened in 2010 with a state-of-the-art bathhouse and concession area, 90’ spiral water slide, wade-in zero depth area, lap pool and diving area with two one-meter diving platforms. Peterson Park, 701 E. Marion St. cityofnewtonil.com/peterson-park

MUSGROVE AQUATIC CENTER The Center features a 395,000 gallon swimming pool, bathhouse, water slide and water umbrella. The facility provides a zero depth entry area, stairs and lift for easy access into the water. Musgrove Park, 305 E. Florence, Olney ci.olney.il.us

JAKE BENDER MEMORIAL POOL The facility is handicap accessible, offering shower facilities, swimming lessons, water aerobics sessions, a water slide and concessions. SE Corner County Rd. and Fairground Rd., City Park ci.pinckneyville.il.us/park-lake-pool. html

PELICAN COVE Featuring a pirate ship, water slide, and umbrella spray; this pool is a family favorite that’s fun for all ages. Robinson City Park, 1201 S. Cross cityofrobinson.com/parks-recreation/

Community Pools

WESTERN

KENNETH HALL MEMORIAL WATER PARK Jones Park, 1301 N. Park Dr., E. St. Louis eaststlouisparkdistrict.org

FREEBURG MUNICIPAL POOL Freeburg Recreational Park, 300 E. Hill St. freeburg.com

HIGHLAND COMMUNITY POOL SWIM CENTER 2123 Park St. highlandil.gov

MASCOUTAH POOL Scheve Park, 901 N Sixth St. Mascoutah Mascoutah.org

Newton Aquatic Center

MILLSTADT VILLAGE POOL 305 W. Parkview Dr. villageofmillstadt.org/pool.htm

O’FALLON MEMORIAL POOL 411 E 5th St. ofallon.org

CENTRAL

BREESE COMMUNITY POOL Northside Park, 475 N. 10th St, Breese breese.org

CARLYLE CITY POOL 1090 Lake Rd., Carlyle carlylelake.com/public-pools/

ELDON HAZLET PARK SWIMMING POOL 20100 Hazlet Park Dr., Carlyle 618-594-8701

FAIRVIEW PARK SWIMMING POOL W. Broadway & Hwy. 161, Centralia cityofcentralia.org

DU QUOIN MUNICIPAL POOL Westside Park, 640 W. Park St. duquoin.org/pool

LEGION MEMORIAL SWIMMING POOL 906 E. Illinois., New Baden newbadenil.com/swimming_pool

MEMORIAL PARK POOL 118 Memorial Park Drive, Nokomis countyoffice.org/nokomis-memorial-park-pool

VANDALIA PUBLIC SWIMMING POOL 1001 W. Fillmore, Vandalia vandaliaparks.org

EASTERN

ALBION CITY POOL City Park, 27 W. Walnut St. albionchamber.org

ECKERLE PARK 225 E Main St. cityofcarmi.com

LEO FRENCH MEMORIAL PARK 601 Park Ave, fairfield-il.com

CHARLEY BROWN PARK Old Hwy. 50, Flora florail.gov

GRAYVILLE CITY POOL 915 Memorial Dr. cityofgrayville.com

MCLEANSBORO CITY POOL 802 South Marshall St.; McLeansboro mcleansboro.us/mcleansboro-city-pool/