Build waterpark close to COSI

The closing of central Ohio’s last indoor waterpark, in Newark, was mostly due to very poor location. The same was with Fort Rapids two years ago, plus poor management there. If indoor waterparks want to make a go of it, they must be in the right locations. Both Coco Key Water Resort and Fort Rapids were in very poor locations. They both were located in very remote places accessible only by car.

Indoor waterparks don’t make it because they are only good for the winter. In summer, they become useless because of too much outdoor competition.

The best location would be in the lower part of Franklinton, near COSI and the new Veterans Memorial site. That place is becoming a huge play area and it would be a best place for a great outdoor waterpark. Each summer, with all the Downtown festivals, the Scioto Mile Fountains become sort of a “free” waterpark of their own, with sometimes more than 500 people splashing in the water. So, why not give these people a real waterpark to play in?

It would be the biggest waterpark to date, with a 10-story water playhouse with up to 20 slides and 50 buckets, including a huge bucket on top that drops water every 30 minutes. The park would include a milelong water moat for lazy tubing, canoes and kayaking, and a huge wave pool.

Downtown and Franklinton residents need more fun things to visit, and a waterpark would be a huge welcome in summer. Currently, the area’s only waterpark is Zoombezi Bay, nearly 20 miles north. That park is good for people who live in Dublin and Powell.

The Downtown and Franklinton areas deserve a play park of their own, and this would be a great addition.

Kevin Swales Columbus