THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Wednesday, August 22, 1979
Waterslide provides a splashing good time
Staff photo by BARB KOENIG
These youngsters begin the long trek up a hill to the top of Wet Willie's Waterside in preparation for another downward plunge, age rubber mats are used to slide on top of 10,000 gallons of recirculated water. The slide opened last May and already has provided spills and chills for kids of all ages.
Headin' up
By BARB KOENIG Staff Reporter
It's a child's delight. Ten thousand gallons of cool refreshing water swirling down a 527-foot concrete slide.
But Wet Willie's Waterslide isn't just for kids.
Located one mile north of the intersection of U.S. 24 and the Perry Lake road, the waterslide has attracted young and old since its own memorial Day weekend.
And, according to Mike Forsyth, assistant manager of Wet Willie's, business couldn't be better.
On a recent day, the waterlily, which is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week, attracted more than 1,000 daring swimmers, while at least 600 were close to the average weekend attendance.
"We never put more than 80 people on the slide at an time," he said. "We do this so it will be fair to everyone. That way, you will get at least eight rides."
Although the number of eager participants gets quite large at times, Forstyh said there was a limit to the number allowed on the slide at one time.
Those trying out Wet Wilc is for the first time might think the Admission form for our camp was too large to self itself. But Forsty said most people could get an average of 10 to 15 slides in 30 minutes. The rest of them would climb back up a hill to get to the top of the slate, many have had their fill by the time they left.
However, there are many sliders who often slide conveniently two or three times.
"A lot of our business is repeat. They ride once, get their money and ride again."
AFTER PAYING the admission fee, sliders are given sponge rubber mats to slide on. A different color is given out every day and they can be kept on each side. Forsyth said.
The colored mats system was devised, he said, so that no one would have to wait until others were through to have a chance at access. In this case of reception to this is if there is a capacity crowd.
Friends, relatives and other not-so-daring observers can view the slippery descent of a large body from the slide. The effect is one of a myriad of indoors and color winding its way through high-banked curves and ending up in a small churning pool of water at the end of the slide.
For the participants, each trek becomes a
new adventure. Watersliding techniques range from sliding head-first to sliding backwards, belly-up or belly-down.
For the more daring and innovativeriders, long trains are formed,which rapidly build up enough momentum to sendthe whole crew crashing into the pool.
DESPIE A slight element of danger for those attempting unusual tricks. Forsyth said no one had been seriously injured on the slide since its opening.
"We've had a few bumps here and but mostly its because people are just messing around. We haven't had any serious injuries on the slide yet."
In addition to a regular business hours, Wet Willie's can be reserved for private parties. Serve said the party had to have an adult and a child. From 8 to 10 a.m., before the slide opened, or from 10 p.m. to midnight, after the slide closed, or from 10 a.m. to midnight, for the private parties. Cost is $16 per person.
bus transportation from Topeka also is available for those wanting to visit Wet Willie. The saddles said the buses had been purchased by the promotional courtesy. The buses, which leave at 10:30 a.m. from the three Dairy Queen locations, return at 1:30 p.m. A $2 cost covers both the round-trip bus transportation and an hour and a half on the side.
THE WET WILLIE'S bus stops at the Dairy Queens at 2026 N. Topeka, 240 Gage and 5421 W. 21st.
Forsyth said there were no recent plans to expand the bus service to any of the neighboring communities.
"If we got a tremendous calling from people from Lawrence, we may do it. It just mainly a service to get them to know about us."
There is however, a plan in the works to further develop the land surrounding the slide into a recreation area. Forswift and the only occupied 10 of an available 80 acres.
Whatever the future may bring, Wet Willie's is bound to continue to delight "kids" young and old—at least throughout the school year. This season, which should continue past Labor Day.
Don Crenshaw and his family are some of those "kids."
Crenshaw, his wife, two sons and friends of his sons, went to Wet Wille's recently for the first time. The first time turned out so well, the family probably will return.
Surf's up
Here, a seven-year-old prepares herself for a lining into a small water of at least the 28-foot water. Wet Wille's is located one mile north of the intersection of U.S. 24 and I-59.
Local parks host a variety of sun and fun
Staff Reporter
By BONNIE DUNHAM
With 27 city parks and public recreation areas, get-a-way spots abound in Lawrence. The parks are a couple of gems and several parks still in the rough, awake development. With these spots are some are clean and well maintained.
The parks are there to be used, said Fred DeVictor, director of parks and recreation.
"What we try to do is provide opportunity for children to participate in many leisure activities as they desire and also to provide well designed and well maintained parks in which to pursue their interests."
A grand tour of the city should turn up a pleasant place for a number of outdoor summer activities.
1 **MARTIN PARK** is a woodsy hide-away, cool and shady even in 90-degree temperatures. Located three blocks from the Peterson River, it is owned by the city, but all 19-acres are outside the city. A winding and hilly Ozark's style road leads through the heavily forested areas are secluded well off the roadway.
**DEERFIELD PARK, at Princeton Blvd. and Arrowhead Street, is a kid-friendly, western-style miniature stagecoach, lookout fort with ramps, slides and a swinging chair. It is new and sleek, and in some parts of the park, there are few trees in the park. However, the 10 acres include a small open shelter, grill, tennis court and a playground.**
CENTENNIAL PARK has 35 acres of rolling hills and cliffs of shade at its heart. Built in 1864 when Lawrence celebrated its 100th anniversary, the park has tennis, jogging, basketball and golf on its grounds to the standard park amenities.
3 LUDUM PARK, called a lot lot,
has two acres with a play lot,
area and picnic facilities at 9th and
Schwartz.
P **ERRY PARK on Monterey Way**
west of Sixth Street is a 45-acre
developed area now in the planning
stages. Although it is sitting idle now,
the park will be built soon and
be taken to determine if the area
is suitable for a small lake or pond.
6 WATERTOWER PARK, Stratford
and Sun Drives, is another lot to
two acres of open grassy areas,
a water park, equipment and
a baseball backstop.
LOUIS HOLCOM PARK AND SPORTS COMPLEX IS 31 acres of sports park. Full of action games including baseball, beep ball, tennis, basketball, soccer fistraber and space for kiteboarding with fans sports with fans and players families. Holcom is located two blocks west and Iowa below Park 25 Apartments.
MAISITMITY PARK, a narrow can be reached from 45th, 25th and 21st streets. The hike and nature trails are likely to be unencrowded since there is no road nearby.
RIVERFRONT PARK has 949 acres, undeveloped as yet, and is worth a $250,000 project, a 95-90 cost sharing with the Corps of Engineers. DeVictor said the city had a contract with the corps to build boat ramps, a hard surface bridge, and a new park. The city will do hiking trail work, clearing of trees for campgrounds, fencing and gravel work. DeVictor said he excels at managing fall and take about a year to complete.
WOODY PARK, on Maine Street near Lawrence Memorial Hospital is another baseball fans headquarters where they play. playground equipment for children.
11 BURCHM PARK, 2nd and India and the onKansas River, captures a beautiful waterfall smel. Trash and beer cans make it an exception to the clean parks in Lawrence, which said it was a popular place for fishermen to work on the redevelopment of this area. The metal towns are active entrances for the entrance to the park's 23 acres.
**LYON STREET PARK** is a simple 10-acre field with a baseball diamond and trees around the perimeter. Getting to the 7th and Lyons location is attractive, because of the large, attractive garden located on the residential areas north of the river.
13 CLINTON PARK, tucked behind Pinckney School at $tth and Illinois, is a neighborhood park with some
character. Native stone grills, steps and walls fit the landscape. The contemporary shelter house provides a comfortable servation Corps workstone, but
it is clean and usable. The play ground has an unusual tractor seat merry-go-round.
14 TOMMY CONSTANT PARK is a bare spot on Sixth Steel
between the new bridge and Tennessee Street. The area is expected to become a river view location, because being used to store steel bridges
15 ROBINSON PARK is a one-acre historical park complete with a large rock commemorating Kansas pioneers and a cannon, built in 1838, which was destroyed by fire when it was donated to the war effort in 1943. Rediscovered in a corner of a junk yard, the city brought the cannon back on its way to Kansas City. Robinson, first governor of Kansas,
17 CENTRAL PARK AND MUNICIPAL SWIMMING POOL comprise swimmers and Tennessee and 6th and Kitsch There is a little shade near the pool, but not much anywhere else. In addition to swimming pools, which are open at all times, the attraction is a 1902 Sante Fe freight locomotive where kids and adults try out the engineer's seat. All the knobs are sounded or turn moves one child complained.
JOHN TAYLOR PARK, 7th and Walnut, has play equipment for the neighborhood basketball and a small shelter on a three-acre lot.
15 WATKIN PARK, located next to the Elizabeth Watkins Historical Museum at 11th and Massachusetts Streets is a downtown oasis. Antique shops and restaurants are located in the tiny park amidst flower beds maintained on the one-acre lot.
16 HOBBS RECREATION AREA & MUNICIPAL BALL DIAMOND, the fans on summer evenings. The concrete bleachers were built in 1949 and are a neighborhood landmark. Deviant player was found at the 11th and DLA location.
20 SOUTH PARK, Lawrence's oldest park dating from 1854, is located downtown on the campus of Massachusetts Street at 11th and 12th. The east side is attractive with many shady spots, a bandstand, fountain and gazebo. There is a marvelous mural with a wading pool for children under six years of age and a playground containing the first city-owned aerial basketball court in the nation, 1947. There are also horsehouses and the community building which continues to attract visitors indoor public handball-raquette court. The west side also had overflowing trash cans last week and the odor of street vendors was still immaculate east portion of South Park.
The area gets more use than the west side, DeVictor said, because there are more activities located there.
21 BROOK CREEK PARK, a narrow seven-acre neighborhood park, is located in the heart of Seedling trees do not provide much shade for hot days. It has play equipment.
PARNELL PARK has basketball goals and sports area in the wedge shape three acres used for play and recreation, located at 13th and Maryland Streets.
**EDGEWOOD PARK** is a botanical park with a variety of trunked, house locust trees. It is a cool spot to hear the bird's song. Tennis, ground and picnic facilities are in abundance.
PARK HILLS PARK, actually several parks, off驴屯, Nebraksa and Dakota Streets., is five acres of play, picnic and tennis court areas. They have been spared in this neighborhood park, so there is plenty of shade.
22 VETERSAN PARK, 19th and Louisiana, also has tennis courts, a shady play area and campus. The tables are the closest city parks to the campus.
26 HIGH CHAPARAL PARK, a one-acre tot lot, at 27th and Haskell has play and picnic areas.
BROKEN AARROW PARK sports a 'fantasy play area' with a tall fence and swing. It is still on the edge of town and offers an unbroken link of rural area to the south. There is a basketball diamond and 17 other cities. The park is located between Haskell Indian University College and Louisiana Street, south of Junior High Pier.
Despite spending his days overseeing Lawrence's 27 parks, DeVictor said he'd rather go to someone else's park; or go boatailing.
While maintaining the parks for other people, DeVictor said, "To me going to a park is like going to work. I'm always in it." He pulled up a piece of trash or something."
city code prohibits littering and a dog running loose. City parks are open daily from 6 a.m. to 13:30 p.m. cereal malt beverages may be consumed in parking lots, on the street, and at the Municipal Pool, community centers and South Park Center.