|
By Jay King
HOMETOWN NEWS
Despite construction setbacks caused by a Mother Nature seemingly intent on erasing last year’s drought, the new $9 million water park in Duncan opened this past Friday to hundreds of area residents intent on escaping the heat.
More than 400 children and adults flocked to the Upstate’s newest attraction, “Shipwreck Cove,” the pirate-themed water park in Duncan near the corner of Spencer and Springs streets that opened its gates just in time to take advantage of the thousands of Spartanburg County students out on school vacation.
Duncan Parks and recreation Director Corey Swaim said Saturday that adjustments had already been made to the pricing structure and height requirements based on input from visitors to the park on opening day.
The minimum height requirement to ride down one of the park’s two water slides was lowered from 48 inches to 42 inches at an admission cost of $10. For children whose heights are below 42 inches admission is $8.
Swaim also said that a deck-only/senior citizen ticket has been introduced at a cost of $5, and lower rates for admission after 4 p.m. had been set at $7 (above 42 inches) and $5. Evening hours from 6:30 - 10 p.m. are set to begin June 24, Swaim added.
Duncan Fire Chief Barry Frost, one of the driving forces behind getting the water park off the drawing board, said that aside from an afternoon thunderstorm Friday that drove people from the pool, opening day was good with most people taking advantage of the eight hours their tickets afforded them.
Both Frost and Swaim said that they expected to be able to work any kinks out of the park’s operations within the first week or so and that they are listening to and, where appropriate, implementing some of the suggestions park patrons have offered.
The new water park has been generating buzz from one end of the county to the other among families whose only previous option was to go to the water park in Simpsonville.
A cross section of adults present Saturday said they were happy to have such an attraction close to home. Friends Chloe Jo Foster and Madison Cox, both 10 and from Duncan, said they loved the new park, especially the slides.
Frost said that with the park taking only about three acres out of 22 the town owns, there is plenty of room to add on to the park and put in other attractions like a paved nature trail. He said there are also discussions underway to install a 50-foot slide for the park’s taller and/or older patrons.
Although the first days of operation have not been totally devoid of complaints or problems, Frost and Swaim said that Shipwreck Cove offers area residents considerably more than they previously had – nothing. Frost said that without the vision and support of Mayor John Hamby and the council, the park would never have gotten off the ground but that now Duncan can boast one of the area’s premier attractions for both young and old.
“If we can make one kid happy, then we’re happy,” Frost said.
jking@hometown-news.com
 Email This Post
|
