Photo Credit: Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation
It’s finally summer—water park season is here! If you are like me, the director of Carmel Clay Parks & Recreation (CCPR) in Indiana, you’re looking to fill your park or attraction with happy and safe guests who want to come back for more.
The original intent of CCPR’s water park, aptly named “The Waterpark,” was to serve as a local attraction for Carmel residents. While a high cost-recovery goal was always planned for the facility, prior to opening its gates in May 2007, The Waterpark—along with the adjacent community center—was given a 100-percent cost-recovery mandate. Therefore, attendance and smart business decisions became even more critical.
This mandate drove staff members to think bigger and bolder than at a typical community water park. Therefore, after the first five years, the department began the process of swapping out standard features in order to build The Waterpark into a regional destination. CCPR needed to willingly invest in and provide the community with opportunities they couldn’t receive within surrounding communities.