Water park grows as it flows
The makings of the spraycation, water-soaked cousin to the staycation, are now being built at SplashDown Beach in Fishkill under the watchful cartoon eye of Bob the Builder.
The park on Old Route 9 in Fishkill attracted 150,000 last year and looks to recreate those record numbers and more this year. It employs 300 seasonal workers.
“What”™s good about SplashDown is that people tend to stay home during a recession, but they still have to have fun,” general manager Andrew Chafatelli said.
The latest water dousing attraction arrives compliments of a 1,600-square-foot Bob the Builder-themed attraction with 50 interactive features. The Bob the Builder target audience is the 1- to 5-year-old set, part of a conscious move by the park to attract a younger demographic and their families.
“During the past five years, we”™ve focused our attractions on the teen and adult market,” owner Steve Turk said in a statement. “This year, we want to ensure that something fresh and exciting is provided for our younger visitors.”
The Bob the Builder spray park ”“ complete with motion sensors that will offer a soaking just for walking by ”“ will open with the rest of the park on May 28, the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. The season runs through Labor Day, with the park completely shuttered in the winter. The park”™s other water amusements include:
Ӣ Monster Wave Pool (10,000 square feet);
Ӣ Humunga Half Pipe (starts fast and ends slow);
Ӣ PirateӪs Plunge (fast);
Ӣ PirateӪs Revenge (less fast); and
Ӣ Bullet Bowl (fast, followed by a 360-degree luge-like ending).
The Bob the Builder pad features a tool shed structure, two slides, tipping buckets, tot bounces, dancing water, geysers and other surprises. In addition, Bob the Builder “meets and greets” ”“ he”™s an international animated TV star ”“ will be available daily at the park.
Chafatelli said business groups from mom-and-pop shops to IBM use the facility for outings. “IBM was here last year and hopefully they will be here this year,” he said. While many business outings are team-themed, even competitive, Splashdown outings “are all about the fun.”
“SplashDown is a great attraction for family and visitors in Dutchess County,” said Mary Kay Vrba, the Dutchess County tourism director. “This attraction complements our great outdoor activities of hiking, biking, canoeing and other water activities.”
The park draws 95 percent of its business from within a 75-minute driving radius. Fully 65 percent of business is from within 45 minutes. “Danbury, Westchester, Yonkers,” Chafatelli said, ticking off common sources of customers. “Manhattan ”“ we get some, but it”™s not a huge draw.”
Adult tickets are $29.99; children and seniors are $25.99; and children under 2 are free.
This will be the third year New Windsor-based Cosimo”™s Restaurant Group has run the food concession, which also includes a Nathan”™s Famous franchise, forever famous in the valley as the hot dogs FDR served to the king and queen of England in 1939.
Chafatelli, whose degree is in exercise science and recreation management from the University of Kentucky, was lured to SplashDown Beach from previous water parks in Tennessee and Florida. Of Cosimo”™s, he said, “I”™ve been around the country and the food here is, hands down, the best food I”™ve had at any water park.”
Chafatelli spoke on a cool, cloudy day recently amid the bustle of getting-ready activity, including on the Bob the Builder pad: “Although we have a lot of heavy lifting in front of us, we are dedicated to opening this attraction for Memorial Day weekend,” he said.