The Silliman Activity and Family Aquatic Center — Local services in Newark

I would have given this a 5 star few weeks ago but something changed in its administration and policies that has made me so unhappy. I used to take my 18 month old here to the mini recreation twice every week and thought that this was the best place for us to have family time (free swim, unstructured play). The indoor water was warm, the play structures are fun, there are tons of toys provided by the rec center for kids to play with, life-guards are super friendly, and it was a convenient drive from home. My son (now 2) is so happy at the thought of going there each week, almost like a ritual- I even recommended it to family and friends. I used to go there for lap swim during the weekends and liked it so much.

Starting this year they have upped the fee structure and have started charging children age age 0 to 3 for entry by asking us to pay $3 and handing us a swim diaper!? When I asked them why, especially because I bring my own (and extras too) they said that they couldn't ensure that potty accidents in the pool don't happen, so they charge for a swim diaper at entry, EVEN IF YOU GOT YOURS. So I already paid for a whole pack of swim diapers and here they charge me regardless, even if I bring my own. Something tells me it is about charging money regardless, nothing to do with swim diapers. This is over and above my entry fee which is $9. I also noticed this week that they had taken away all the toys from the swim area and placed two inflated balls instead. This is disappointing! Not only is it becoming expensive for us but it is also becoming very unfriendly. This is not the place we knew last year. They have now started taking advantage of patrons and people who follow the rules. Sad, but maybe I won't be coming here anymore.

A better and a more reasonable way to ensure no potty accidents would be to enforce the rule at check-in by making sure that new or returning guests have a swim diaper with them. If they fail to show one, then charge them for it and give it to them. Don't penalize people who...

Usually I really love this place. Have been going since I was a little girl but recently I feel like it has been going down hill I'm sorry to say. I'm currently very pregnant and come with my sister to excersize in the pool once in awhile. While on one of my visits while changing in the locker room a girl maybe in her early 20's pulled out her cell phone and took a picture of me while changing. I felt so uncomfortable my sister had to hold a towel in front of me while I got changed. But I paid to swim and the staff was over loaded with people so I just ignored the ignorant girl and went to swim anyways. when I got to the pool I was just trying to do little excersizes as I can't do much anyways rite now and was staying away from the swimmers. Now let me let you know if you don't, the pool closest to the hot tub is very large and somewhat deep so I stayed in one place hoping not to be bothered since there was not many in there to begin with...until little kids maybe 7-10 kept splashing around near me and eventually kicked my belly and back while swimming by. Life guards and parents both seen what happened and didn't say anything so I moved to another spot of the pool and I guess the pool was not big enough for them and it happened again, I was so irritated that I left and. Didn't even bother changing. So I hope the owner reads this and decides to hire more life guards that are going to do something about it and maybe keep a attendant in the women's locker room to prevent little girls from taking pictures of naked...

3 years ago before I came to this water park I was reading reviews and little nervous (my daughter was 3) I went to try. My first impression was that place was normal water park. Clean just like another public swimming pool, chlorine smell but I used to that in covered swimming pools when I was kid, i felt cold air but for my daughter it was warm so I was happy coming back and swim or sit in jacuzzi when I got cold. I never bothered tell anything about it because for me it was nice covered water park, now after remodeling little nicer with less chlorine smell but nothing special. Until my last visit when I lost my wallet over there. I came back searching for it but couldn't find it. Next day I called to check again and I was surprised that my wallet was found. Me and my daughter got happy again. Bigger surprise was when I arrived and got my wallet back and everything even cash was there. I offered reward but girl refused take it. I was so happy and surprised that I forgot ask for her name. Now I'm home thinking how people who work there made that place from regular nice place to go with my daughter to special place with good memories not only for me but my daughter too. Thank you again. Not only for wallet but also for showing my daughter good values what is hard to...