Redwood Falls Aquatic Center — Attraction in Redwood Falls

Short version:

Great door to cool off on a hot day. The admission price is reasonable, but consider buying a family pass if you'll be bringing a crowd more than a few times. You'll break even pretty quickly.

Long version:

The aquatic center is the perfect place to take kids for a cool-off on a hot day. There is a zero depth entry for youngsters with a small slide and play equipment, a rock climbing wall, lap swimming lanes, two diving boards, a basketball hoop, and two large slides (for 48+" tall folks). The locker rooms are kept reasonably clean and the facility the whole is quite nice. 2016 admission is $5/swimmer and $3/observer. An annual family pass for five people (2016) is $150 - I believe adding additional family members is $15.

The pool has reasonable hours - but make sure and check their website as the "open" hours currently on Google include lap swimming and swimming lessons prius in the afternoon (starting at 4:30 PM M-Th). During that time, the pool is closed for recreational swimming and everyone must leave.

The pool is staffed by mostly young (college aged) life guards that are very attentive and really do an excellent job of maintaining a safe environment. There are (I think) about ten watching over the pool at any given time. They tend to be a little strict, but that is perfectly acceptable considering the responsibility they have. They are always friendly and courteous - even when correcting behavior. One unfortunate side addict of the college crowd life guarding is that, once Labor Day arrives, the pool closes for the season. Unfortunately, that is hardly the end of the heat. Be sure and enjoy it while it's open!

My only two gripes:

They have a mystifying policy that metal eyelets, commonly find on male swimming trunks to drain water from the pockets, must be removed in order to ride the large slides. I have been to a fair number of water parks with my kids and have never seen, or d even heard of, this requirement anywhere else. It's rather annoying to have to mutilate the swimming gear that you have worn down countless other slides. But, that's the rule and one that they enforce vigorously. I imagine it's an attempt to reduce wear and tear on the slides - though ironically, the worst wear and tear probably comes from sending chlorinated water down them under sunny skies. (UV light does a lot more than just give sunburns!)

The pool has a decent concession area with reasonable prices for what it is, but they have a "no outside food or drink" policy. Truthfully, we have brought our own snacks and drinks and never been challenged on it, but I don't like feeling like I'm going something wrong. I personally don't care to spend $25 on empty calories. That said, if it ever becomes an issue, I suppose we will simply walk outside to the grassy area and eat what we brought.

Aside from those minor things, it's a great facility and one that I really do appreciate...

Here is a really cool facility for folks to cool off and enjoy awesome water activities. There are various kiddy pool activities and as the pool slowly gets deeper, try crossing the Lilly pads while ground the ropes above. Also 2 diving boards. Didn't forget the 2 tall waterslides really fun. Little kids can go with you on the blue one. All this is possible because it is staffed with a lot of people who do...

Visiting from out of town and needed something for our kids and their cousins to do. This was great! A pretty cool spot with unique features that make for a great time for old and young. It has a really fast slide (the other is good for littles), a rock climbing wall, lily pads, a low diving board, and a high dive, with plenty of shaded seating....