New Summit Waves Water Park Dives Right In
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Lather up your sunscreen, grab your towel and prepare to make waves.
Summit Waves Water Park will no doubt accommodate hundreds of water enthusiasts this summer, from graceful swimmers to belly-floppers. The city-owned and operated park, which marks its second season in 2009, offers a six-lane lap pool with two diving boards, a 900-foot action river, a kids’ water playground, a tube slide and a body slide.
Summit Waves is a result of recommendations prepared by a city-commissioned Aquatic Visioning Team a few years ago.
“As they went through that process, they came to the conclusion that Lee’s Summit could use a water park,” says Joe Snook, assistant administrator of the Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation Department.
The park, which is built to hold roughly 1,500 people, opened to wide acclaim in July 2008 after nearly a year of construction. City officials are already planning a number of improvements for the upcoming season. What’s first and foremost on the priority list?
“One thing that we’re looking to add this year that will be pretty quick is a lot more shade,” Snook says. “I don’t think you can ever have enough shade.”
The park was also built with the capacity to expand in mind. There is space for two more waterslides to be built in the future, as well as other forms of growth.
“I hope that people come in and have a great time,” Snook says. “We want them to come in and enjoy themselves, to have an experience that, as a family, they’re going to be able to go back and recount and live and talk about.”
In addition to top-notch waterslide access, Summit Waves also offers swimming lessons, private party rentals and a swim team program. There is truly an activity for everyone, from curious toddlers in water wings to experienced competitive swimmers. For those who plan to visit more than once, the park also sells season passes.
“I want them to have a great time, enjoy the water park,” Snook says. “I know from when I was growing up, my brother and I still talk about, ‘We used to do this,’ or, ‘We used to do that.’ So hopefully we’re helping them create memories that will last a lifetime.”
Open during the summer from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., Summit Waves is located on Southwest Blue Parkway at the intersection of U.S. Route 50 and Missouri Route 291.
Story by Michaela Jackson
