Willow Springs Water Park facts for kids

Willow Springs was a well-known water park located in Little Rock, Arkansas. For many years, it was a popular spot for families to enjoy swimming and water activities. The park stopped offering swimming in July 2013 and closed its doors permanently in August 2015.

A Look Back at Willow Springs

Willow Springs first opened its gates in 1928, offering a unique swimming experience. Unlike many modern water parks, Willow Springs featured a natural, sandy-bottom lake fed by springs and wells. The water was always kept clean and safe with special treatments.

One special thing about Willow Springs was that families could bring their own food and drinks. This made it a great place for picnics and group gatherings. There was also a restaurant called Upper Deck Café on site if visitors wanted to buy food.

When Was Willow Springs Open?

The water park was open for visitors during the warmer months of the year. Each year, Willow Springs would welcome guests from May through September.

Why Did Willow Springs Close?

On July 26, 2013, the owner of Willow Springs decided to close the park for swimming. This decision was made after a swimmer became sick with a very rare infection linked to the water. Three years before this, another swimmer had also gotten sick from the same infection at the park.

Health experts from the Arkansas Department of Health looked into the situation. They found that the park's shallow water might have been a problem. Shallow water can heat up faster, which can create conditions where certain tiny living things, like the one that caused the illness, can grow more easily.

The park owner had hoped to reopen for swimming if they could cover the lake bottom with concrete. This was because the tiny organisms that cause the illness often live in the soil at the bottom of lakes. However, it was too expensive to make this change, so the park could not reopen for swimming. After a short time open only for fishing, Willow Springs closed completely in August 2015.

Fun Activities at Willow Springs

Willow Springs offered many attractions and activities for families and friends to enjoy:

• A friendly and welcoming atmosphere for everyone.
• A long 400-foot Waterslide for thrilling rides.
• A large kiddie pool and playground area for younger children.
• Trained lifeguards were always on duty to keep everyone safe.
• Two log rolls and water Trampolines for bouncing and balancing fun.
• Lifejackets were available for anyone who needed them.
• Covered picnic tables and grills for family meals.
• Special pricing for groups and parties.
• Areas for playing Water basketball, Volleyball, and Tetherball.
• Swimming lessons were offered for those wanting to learn or improve their skills.
• Horseshoe pits for a classic outdoor game.
• Designated areas for playing Basketball and Soccer.