Summer temps send folks flocking to cool attractions
The hot, sunny weather over the past 2 weeks has people flocking to pools and water parks to stay cool.
Zoombezi Bay, the water park attached to the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, typically draws large weekend crowds, and the past few were no exception.
On June 29, with a high temperature of 92 degrees, Zoombezi Bay saw more than 10,000 visitors, setting a record for park attendance. The staff made an in-park announcement and tweeted that prospective guests might experience a delay in admittance because of the big crowds.
The park doesn’t have a set limit for visitors, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium spokeswoman Patty Peters said. Lifeguards and managers decide whether park attractions like the Wild Tides wave pool and the Croctail Creek lazy river look too crowded. When they do, they ask people to visit other attractions in the zoo or water park.
Peters said sustained hot weather could eventually work against the park.
“There’s kind of a sweet spot” when it comes to summer temperatures, she said. Some people may not want to leave their air-conditioned homes during a heat wave.
Columbus Recreation and Parks “spraygrounds,” which provide a no-cost option to cool down, have been busy but no more than usual. Once the temperature reaches 80 degrees, attendance reaches its peak.“i don’t see this Garrick Ellis, 9, of the North Side, beats the mid-90s heat with a trip down a slide at the Dodge Park pool. week being much different,” said Recreation and Parks spokesman Brian Hoyt. “It gets to a point where hot is hot.”
Temperatures are expected to reach into the mid-80s Tuesday. Rain forecast for Wednesday — the remnants of Tropical Depression Barry — could cool things down, but the heat will return with an expected high in the lower 90s Thursday and in the mid-90s Friday.
While city pools have had to slow down entry in the past, they’ve never had to stop letting people in, Hoyt said.
Recreations and Parks has an 800person capacity at its pools. That capacity could vary slightly at each pool, taking into account green space and the size of the pool.
On Monday, with the temperature in the low 90s, a group of more than 40 parents and their children waited for the Dodge Park swimming pool to open at 1:30 p.m.
Aleasya Cooper, 13, regularly comes to the
pool with her family or friends. Kids older than 8 can enter the pool without an adult. Aleasya was there with her twin sister, Alasya, both Hilltop residents.
Aleasya said there are other ways to beat the heat.
“You could go underneath a tree,” she said. “Or you could go to Mcdonald’s to get an ice cream cone. You definitely do not sit in the car.”
Hoyt also suggested visiting the city’s libraries.
“I always make it a point to plug our friends at the library,” he said. “Come in, grab a book and get out of the heat for a while.”
Here are a few other ideas to stay cool without getting wet (well, mostly):
Chiller ice rinks
What’s cooler than water? Frozen water, of course, and four Chiller locations offer public ice skating: In Dublin, Easton, Lewis Center and Downtown at the Icehaus attached to Nationwide Arena.
No reservations are required, but check open-skating hours before you go by visiting thechiller.com or by calling Dublin at 614-764-1000, Easton at 614-475-7575, Lewis Center at 740-5490009 or the Icehaus at 614-246-3380.
Go underground
Head to one of two cave systems within a short drive of Columbus.
At Olentangy Caverns near Delaware, tours take visitors as deep as 105 feet underground. As strange as it seems to be toting a jacket these days, you might want one, as the temperature down there is a constant 54 degrees. For more information, call 740-548-7917 or visit olentangyindiancaverns.com.
The other option is Ohio Caverns, in West Liberty in Logan County. Call 937-465-4017 or visit ohiocaverns.com.
I scream, you scream
Graeter’s Columbus headquarters earlier this year moved to a larger location (2136 Bethel Road), and its “Lil’ Pints Playroom” indoor play area is free and available for walk-in fun anytime.
Features include a waffle-cone slide, a mini ice-cream truck and plenty of space to run around and work up an appetite. Call 614-4427622 or visit graeters. com for information.
See the sea
Visit the Oceans exhibit at COSI Columbus. Included in the regular admission price, this area features a chance for visitors to climb into a mini research submarine, learn about the power of waves and, yes, there is a chance to get a bit wet with the water cannons.
And there is a free small splash pad in Dorrian Green Commons, the park that opened in late 2017 directly in front of COSI’S main entrance.
Contact COSI at 614228-2674 or visit www. cosi.org.