June brought in a heat wave that saw temperatures hover near 100 degrees. But West Windsor residents have a “gem” in their backyards — their own water park.
Complete with four bathing areas, a picnic and concession area, and other recreational areas, WaterWorks at West Windsor is the only facility in the area with more than one pool. In fact, it has four.
It is open to both residents and nonresidents for a seasonal membership, and there is still time to obtain a membership, officials say.
The pool facility has something for people of all ages. Children can visit the children’s wading pool, a 1,700-square foot pool that features zero-depth entry, a cascading “dew drop” feature, and water-spouting sea lions. Adjacent to the wading pool is a fully equipped children’s play area.
The family leisure pool is usually used by parents who have young children but want to stay cool themselves. At 9,000-square feet, the pool features a zero-depth entry that goes up to four feet and features in-water seating and a cascading “raindrop” feature. This pool is the largest, most versatile, and the most popular pool in the facility.
There is also a lap and diving pool featuring an eight-lane, 25-meter lap pool that is 11 feet deep with diving at one end.
A separate pool area on site features a two-story, 18-foot tall, figure-eight waterside with a splash pool for swimmers who are over 48-inches tall.
Noreen Tenaglia, assistant manager at the township’s recreation department who manages the facility, said that the facility is a “hidden gem” for West Windsor residents. The good news is that the facilities are also not entirely crowded, she said.
WaterWorks also contains a full-size basketball court, a locker room with changing areas, and a 38-foot by 40-foot shade structure over the picnic tables.
Memberships at the pool are available to families and individuals and are open to nonresidents as well. But West Windsor residents pay a lower membership fee than nonresidents and must show proof of residency.
Family memberships for West Windsor residents are $500 for the season. The membership covers all members of the family unit — one or both parents, legal guardians, children under the age of 18, and full-time students under the age of 22 — living at a West Windsor address. Child-care providers, live-in helpers, and grandparents do not qualify under family membership.
Individual memberships for West Windsor residents between the ages of two and 61 are $235, while West Windsor seniors (62 years or older) will pay $195.
For non-residents, a family membership is $635, an individual membership is $305, and senior membership is $210.
For those who may not want to commit to a membership, there is also daily admission, which is open to West Windsor residents every day at the cashier window at the pool with proof of residency. For adults or children over 8, the daily fee is $16. Children between 2 and 8 will pay $15, while seniors over age 62 will pay $14. After 5 p.m., the fee for all ages is $13.
On weekends, residents are charged $18 for adults or children over 8; $17 for children between 2 and 8; and $16 for seniors over 62. After 5 p.m. on weekends, adults and children over 8 pay $16, and children and seniors pay $13.
For non-residents, the daily admission is higher. On weekdays, non-residents pay $19 for adults or children over 8. Children pay a fee of $18, and seniors pay $17. After 5 p.m., adults and children pay $17, while children and seniors pay $14.
WaterWorks is open every day from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. until Labor Day.
For more information, log on to the Wet Windsor Recreation Department website at www.wwparks-recreation.com, or call the office at 609-799-6141.
