^ I Support Local Community Journalism Support the independent voice of Phoenix and help keep the future of the New Times clear. The new house you bought last fall is great: more bedrooms, bigger closets, and closer to a better school. But unlike the smaller eatery you left behind, it doesn’t have a swimming pool. Your kids are hot and cranky and want to take a bath, and until now none of the new pool neighbors have invited your carpet rats for a swim. Take a deep breath, call an Uber and send it to one of the many water-specific parks and locations that shape our desert landscape. Like Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, formerly known as Wet ‘n’ Wild (4243 West Pinnacle Peak Road, Glendale, 623-201-2000), where kids can splash around in what is known as the Soak ‘Em Playground or let their inner moondoggy run wild, the Splashwater -Beach. For even more wet fun, check out the Hurricane Bay Wave Pool, Adventure River, and a huge pile of water slides known as the Serpentine Complex. But wait, there’s more: the exciting rides include the Anaconda, Bahama Blaster, and the Tornado. Enchanted Island Amusement Park (1202 West Encanto Boulevard, 602-254-1200) is your best bet for young kids’ water fun. Children up to 10 years love this paddling area in Encanto Park with a lake, a swimming pool and many rides. Families can rent a pedal boat and go out on one of Encanto’s lagoons, and there are also bumper boats, a dump bucket, and plenty of space to swim. Overheated people of all ages like the Kiwanis Wave Pool (6111 South All.) America Way, Tempe, 480-350-5201), a huge indoor puddle that is 122 feet long and 4.50 m high. Its waves are among the largest in the country: up to a meter high and ideal for riding. Additional amenities include a lap pool with six lanes for swimming training and a children’s pool with floats. EXPAND Golfland Sunsplash offers everything from exciting slides to splash areas. Splash pads are all the rage these days, and one of the better ones can be found at Goodyear. The Splash Pad at Goodyear Community Park (3151 North Litchfield Road, Goodyear, 623-882-7525) is an activity-based water park that features a ton of wet and wild sprays and jets, and a couple of different heated pools. Golfland Sunsplash (55 West Hampton Avenue, Mesa, 480-834-8319) is also popular, with its huge, undulating Thunder Bay pool and adrenaline-pumping rides like the seven-story Double Dare, Thunder Falls, and Storm Rider. Younger kids and anyone with a fear of heights will dig the Caribbean Water Works, with its no-depth play area and colossal dump bucket. The seven-acre Oasis Water Park at the Arizona Grand Resort and Spa (8000 Arizona Grand Parkway, 602-438-9000 .)) was voted one of the top 10 water parks in the country by the Travel Channel. Back in the day, the wave pool, eight-story slides (including one with a 225-foot freefall and another, the 220-foot Roadrunner, which features a dramatic 51-foot trap), and heated pool were only available to resort guests. In recent years, however, you can gain access by purchasing a day pass through the Resort Pass. It’s cheaper than an overnight stay, but you get the same summer vibe. Keep Phoenix New Times Free … Since we started Phoenix New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we want it to stay that way. We offer our readers free access to concise coverage of local news, food and culture. We produce stories about everything from political scandals to the hottest new bands, with bold reporting, stylish writing, and staff who have won everything from the Society of Professional Journalists’ Sigma Delta Chi Feature Writing Award to the Casey- Medal for Meritorious Journalism. But with the existence of local journalism under siege and setbacks in advertising revenues having a bigger impact, it is now more important than ever for us to raise funds to fund our local journalism. You can help by joining our “I Support” membership program which allows us to continue to cover Phoenix without paywalls.
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