Otter Cove Aquatic Park

They are sooo strict and you can’t do anything. No flips of diving board, and you NEED a tube in the lazy river. Waste of money do not go.

This review is only based on kids areas 6 and under. The best part of this facility for little ones is the sand box with water play. The sand box is equiped with a sprinkler park style water play and the best part is you do not need to haul in your own sand toys because there are more than plenty provided. Outside of the sand box are two sprinkler pads, one of them is kind of boring the other one was a little more fun, but my child wasn’t really interested to stay there for more than a few minutes. The main pool has gradual entry with a really fun toddler slide. There is also a sectioned off kids pool with a tree house style climbing area and a lazy river to let the kids relax for a little without having to leave the water. There seemed to be plenty to do for older kids as well. We heard about the food being terrible there so we brought in our own cooler with drinks and sandwiches. It is a very fun place to take the kids.

We are a family with 2 kids under 7 and we’ve been twice so far. We’ve had a blast both times. There is a lazy river that has all kinds of features added to it to make the experience even more fun (buckets that dump on you, waterfalls, etc), 2 fun water slides, a toddler pool that has fun water features, a larger deeper pool with a slide, and even a really large splash pad for the kids to run around in. We spend all day– going home for lunch and coming back. The reason this review isn’t a 5 star is because of the price. We are non-​residents so we can only afford to go when there is a deal offered. Last year there were more deals offered but even then, I had to act fast and snag them within a couple of hours of posting because they are so limited and so popular. This year, there were only 3 deals offered and one of them was for a specific Christmas in July event (the only deal that has remained available despite limited numbers). I missed the first deal (sold out within 2 hours apparently) and bought the second deal. The reviews are correct– the concession stand is expensive and the food isn’t great. Better to get your hand stamped and eat a picnic in the nearby nature center. To sum up– 5 stars if you are lucky enough to snag a deal, but expensive otherwise.

Food is awful unless u want candy or a popsicle. They shut down the lazy river and the kid area — saying it would be open at 3– never did– and then they closed down the only other toddler area — then as well –the concessions at 2:30. Even if your kid at 48 in. and is on a swim team, they will have to wear a life jacket on a slide. So our expensive day lasted almost 3 hrs w nowhere for a toddler to go and feel safe. The three other boys were disappointed they were lied to about lazy river. No refunds no compassion. As a previous lifeguard for many years in the ST. Charles district I am shocked as to how the lifeguards are constantly just nodding their heads and making a line w their arms; looking for bodies underwater instead of focusing on those that are having trouble swimming in «real time». Too many closures and not dependable w a lot of rules= not fun.

This place was great, especially for little kids. With three different areas (huge splash pads, zero depth pool and a shallow lazy river) for little kids, it was perfect for our little ones. The lifeguards were awesome. My son wanted to go down the big slide and the lifeguard caught him every time. This was his first time on a slide and it was a memorable experience. They have a pretty decent lazy river and reserve kiddie pool for parties and when it gets overcrowded. The reason for a 4 star and not a 5 star, is the price tag. We had a groupon, so my son and I went for the price of one person. $ 13 per person is too steep and we only stayed there for two hours. Even if we stayed there for ½ day, $ 10 is a more reasonable price tag. We would return, but only with another groupon for half the price. Also, we would go on Wednesday. There were not many people there. It was a nice experience, but the price tag is too high.

This was a nice «pool» for little ones, but I couldn’t get over the $ 12 price tag for non-​residents. This isn’t exactly Raging Waves, if you know what I mean! The sign posted at the admission counter also says that everyone pays the same admission rate, which seems a bit ridiculous to me. Whatever happened to student or senior discounts? Thankfully, they did not charge us $ 12 to bring in an infant, or I probably would have left. The web site says everyone under 3 is free, but the signage at the pool doesn’t coincide.
It’s also a bit aggravating that people who live two minutes away on the St. Charles/​Geneva border are considered non-​residents. We can actually see the pool from our homes, but have to pay more money because of our zip code.
There are two water slides, two drop slides, diving boards, a lazy river, three splash/​play pools, and a lap pool, though I have to admit that the layout made it difficult to get a true scope for everything Otter Cove had to offer. It was nice that there was so much greenery/​separation between the areas, but if I had kids of different ages playing at the park, it would be very difficult to keep track of them. I prefer Sunset Pool in Geneva, where I can see everything — the lap lanes, splash area and water slides, from anywhere in the pool.
We didn’t use the concession stand or the locker rooms, so I can’t comment on either. I did, however, appreciate the comfortable lounge chairs, unlike the plastic ones at other pools. Still, the exceedingly high admission rates were enough to keep me from coming back again.

Went in early July 2013 — large place — several areas to choose to swim. Get there early place gets crowded and lounge chairs go quickly. $ 9 per person (resident) is about the limit that I would spend to go here. Might go back again — we went here for the first time since Swanson was closed due to a swim meet.

Be prepared to spend mucho $$$$$$$ this place is expensive! It is nice with the lazy river and the splash park. They have a ton of rules, kinda over the top with them. The kids could not do much off the diving board. And the height requirements for the water slide that goes into the lazy river is kinda crazy. I think if they have a lift vest on and are with a parent it should nt be so high. My four year ok’d could not even go on. And the price for a one year old is the same as a 5 year old… so that’s how t can get really pricey… so if you are in the area and need something to do with the kiddos this works.

Want to make a splash with your little ones? Otter Cove Splash Park is perfect for a little fun in the sun for kids that aren’t quite ready to swim.
Admission for ages 1 – 5 is $ 4 for residents and $ 6 for non residents, but they don’t ask you for proof of residency. Adults are free with a paid child’s admission for the splash park only. They accept credit cards.
The splash park includes 3 splashing areas and one sand lot. There are some buckets and shovels in the sand lot but I would suggest bringing your own toys and labeling them with your kid’s name to prevent loosing them.
Outside food and drink is allowed, so I always bring a small cooler of snack and drinks for my niece and nephew. You can eat in the covered picnic area or near the vending machines (selling drinks only).