Splash Down!

A study conducted six years ago indicated one of the most pressing entertainment needs for the Fort Smith area was an aquatic park.

Residents there can now mark it off the list.

The $11 million-plus Parrot Island Waterpark opens Saturday in Ben Geren Park, the culmination of many years of fundraising and construction efforts. The park debuts as one of the largest such aquatic centers in the region, with a total of 370,000 gallons of water split among a lazy river, a wave pool, a children's area and other features.

The development cost was shouldered jointly by the city of Fort Smith and Sebastian County. With their resources pooled together, they were able to create a bigger, better water park, says Ray Gosack, city administrator for Fort Smith.

"We were able to add features that no water park has in eastern Oklahoma or western Arkansas," Gosack said to members of the media at an introductory press conference in late April.

General manager Bill Miller, who came to Fort Smith from another American Resort Management-operated park, agreed Parrot Island is unique.

"This is 100 percent a different experience than you can get anywhere else," Miller says.

He points to hula dancing lessons as an example of the one-of-a-kind experiences found at Parrot Island.

"Were going to add those little touches to make our park special," Miller says.

Parrot Island features many aquatic opportunities within the complex, which replaces a city swimming pool closed in 2004. Towering above the rest of the park are the slides, including the Pineapple Plunge, a 40-foot high-speed slide that sends patrons down a 135-foot tunnel at a 45-degree angle. The longest of the slides, the Pelican Plunge, twists for 265 feet and has light-up bands on the tunnel sides.

"It's going to make you feel like you're going faster than you are," Miller says.

Those who want to stay closer to the ground can opt for the lazy river, which runs for 500 feet, or the main pool, called Toucan's Cove, which features 250,000 gallons of water. There's also a children's area at the park, equipped with water cannons and short slides.

Another of the challenges is the wave pool, where the waves will be intensified or lessened on an hourly basis. It's the only such pool in this part of the country, planners say.

"Everyone is going to want to catch a wave in the middle of Arkansas," Miller says.

Parrot Island offers food and beverage concessions, areas for private parties and group discounts. The attraction closes for the season after the Labor Day weekend in early September.

NAN What's Up on 05/22/2015