WildWater

RipTide is the name of WildWater’s big wave pool that features eight different wave patterns, including rolling breakers like these. Yep ... new water park is making a big splash

Story and photos by David Moore

WildWater Cullman is aptly named.

Crown of the new 12-acre water park is a 55-foot towering tangle of seven water slides that looks like a huge, friendly octopus resting atop a heap of its long, colorfully coiled tentacles. Kids and teens clutching bright race pads and rafts line the steps near the top, awaiting their turn to holler and yell in delight as they zip and zag their way down the slide tubes.

Next to them, a 22,000-square-foot wave pool generates rolling combers that break over heads and shoulders of kids and parents, their excited squeals rising over a roar like an ocean incessantly crashing on a beach. At the end of the pool a movie plays on a nearly 45-foot long LED wall.

Elsewhere, youngsters splish-splatter on four different splash pads as grownups and a few tuckered kids relax in the shade of “funbrellas” that sprout from the concrete decking like unlikely giant, colorful mushrooms.

Elsewhere cabanas offer additional shade from the Alabama sun. Four concession stands churn out cold and frozen drinks to help counter the heat, along with food and snacks to curb the hunger that always comes when playing in the water.

Other slides – 18 total, with some suitable for little kids – are located at the

drift river and at the existing outdoor pool area at the adjacent Cullman Wellness and Aquatic Center (CWAC), which now ties into WildWater.

There’s a continuing buzz in the air charged with laughter and fun. Yep. WildWater is aptly named.

Built with support of the Cullman City Council, WildWater is a vision of Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism, which has earned national accolades for the opportunities it’s opened to area residents over some 30 years.

Three years in the planning, WildWater

A person rides a raft around an open-banked curve down one of the tall slides, upper left. Behind her stretches RipTide and just below is Breakers and the patio where adult beverages are sold. Above, kids on rafts zip down the 43-foot Rally Racer slide – with rally points, timing and scoring – before splashing to the finish line, far left. A youngster floats across the finish pool at another slide, while others play at one of four splash pads, left.

was designed as a major expansion to CWAC outdoor swimming area. It opened June 17.

“Cullman is growing, with nearly 25 percent of our population under the age of 18,” says Mayor Woody Jacobs. “WildWater is a great addition to the overall plans we have for the families and youth within our community.”

Indeed, the water park, CWAC and other existing facilities are key parts of the emerging Sports and Events District. Once completed, it will include 10 tournament basketball courts, 19 volleyball courts, nine baseball/softball

The new WildWater foreground, connects with existing water park section of the Cullman Wellness and Aquatic Center, background. The Gully, center, sells snacks, while the Oasis Bistro serves full lunch and dinner options. The Iceberg serves “chilly eats and frozen treats.” And at Breakers, below, those 21 and older can cool down with adult beverages and a patio.

fields, five soccer fields and a large events center.

Nathan Anderson, CPR&ST executive director, is excited.

“WildWater will draw thousands of people to Cullman, and will also provide a great outlet for local residents to enjoy family fun without having to leave the area,” Nathan says. Historically, our families have had to travel outside the area to find attractions like WildWater.”

For years, residents and business leaders discussed the need for more outdoor and indoor recreational attractions within our community, Nathan says. Helping meet that need, CPR&ST prioritized updating parks and indoor facilities before taking on WildWater.

“We’ve also installed the largest inflatable aqua park in Alabama at Palomino RV Resort, designed and started the construction of a high-end skate park in the heart of our downtown area, and most recently planned a 130,000-square-foot indoor Sports and Events Complex tentatively scheduled to open in 2024,” Nathan says.

WildWater will have lasting benefits for many area businesses. And already, he adds, a high volume of people from surrounding counties and states have visited Cullman for the first time, many staying overnight. If you go to WildWater Cullman, it’s located and accessed at 1707 Main Avenue SW. Parking is free. Lifeguards are on duty. No outside food or drinks allowed.

Open through September, hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily except Sunday, which is 1-6 p.m. Regular day passes cost $29.95; $23.95 for kids under 42 inches, seniors 65+ and active and retired military; ages 2 and under get in free.

Limited access tickets for 4-6 p.m. Twilight Tuesdays are discounted $8. Tickets for groups of 20-35 are discounted $5; larger groups get $8 off. Tickets for the splash-in movie on Aug. 18 at the wave pool are $14.98.

Cabanas – which are 12x12 and hold up to eight people – rent for $125; $150 Friday-Sunday. Pool party packages at the luxury pavilion are also available.

Tickets can be bought at the gate on a first-come-first-served basis. Guaranteed entrance tickets and more info are available at: wildwatercullman.com.