Throughout DuPage County and surrounding counties, park districts have been opening mini water parks featuring water slides, sprinkler playgrounds, and lazy rivers. It’s a phenomenon that, regrettably, skipped over my generation completely. How did we ever survive the summers confined to the ho-hum, geometrically-correct park district swimming pools of yesteryear?
Alas, all is not lost; I now have my own children who will require a good summer-soaking… Time will be spent splashing amongst the faux-tropical landscape of the updated park district water parks. If I must take them, let it be known that I am a more-than-willing participant 🙂 What a fun way to spend a hot summer day!
Here is a list of the coolest park district water parks located in (or near) DuPage County:
Centennial Beach, Naperville (Naperville Park 
District)
500 West Jackson Avenue
Naperville, IL 60540
Located near downtown Naperville, Centennial Beach is a more beach than waterpark, but it is unlike any local swimming-hole you’ll find in DuPage County. I assure you it is a great time for the entire family!
Visit the Centennial Beach webpage for hours and more information.
Splash Country, Aurora (Fox Valley Park District)
195 S. Barnes Road
Aurora, IL 60506
Just west of the Fox River in Aurora, is one of the area’s coolest park district water parks, Splash Country. The water 
park was one of the first to be sponsored by a local park district. Many other area park districts have modeled their water parks after the success of Splash Country.
Here are some of the park’s best features:
- Zero-depth pool (gradually increasing water depth)
- Lazy river
- Dumping buckets
- Water sprayers and bubblers
- Water slides
More info about Splash Country can be found here.
Vaughan Indoor Aquatic Center, Aurora (Fox Valley Park District)
2121 W. Indian Trail
Aurora, IL 60506
This indoor pool and water park features:
- Zero-depth pool
- Enclosed two-story water slide
- Interactive water playground
More information can be found here.
Phillips Park Family Aquatic Center, Aurora (Fox Valley Park District)
828 Montgomery Road
Aurora, IL 60505
Here is another great family water park sponsored by the Fox Valley Park District. Phillips Park waterpark features:
- Zero-depth pool
- Multiple water slides
- Kid play zone with sprayers, waterfall, water buckets
- Shaded sand play area
More details about the Phillips Park Family Aquatic Center can be found here.
Coral Cove Water Park, Carol Stream (Carol Stream Park District)
849. W. Lies Rd.
Carol Stream, IL 60188
Coral Cove has a beach theme and features:
- Tube water slides (highest in DuPage County)
- Deep plunge pool with a diving board and drop-in water slide
- Zero-depth pool
- Water playground
- Sand play area and village
- Separate water play area for toddlers
Check out their website for more details about Coral Cove in Carol Stream.