Ready to make a splash? Pool or lake, these Olathe spots offer cool heat relief
With the weather getting warmer by the day, it’s time to think of where you’ll be going to cool off this summer. In Olathe, there are a lot of choices for aquatics.
Jack Sparks, aquatics director for the city, said Black Bob Bay’s water park typically draws the biggest crowds with its lazy river, rock wall and high dive. The water slides are also popular.
Lake Olathe has one feature in particular that Sparks considers special.
“The thing that we have that’s most unique, that people really travel and seek out, is our Aquapark at our Lake Olathe marina. That’s a big inflatable playground that floats out on the water,” Sparks said.
Visitors pay a $10 upcharge per person to use the Aquapark for an hour. You must be 48 inches or taller to use it.
“I think it’s the only one I know of in the area, and I think it hearkens back to if you were a kid who went to Leaps and Bounds or any of those gymnastics playgrounds,” Sparks said.
Other things to look forward to include special preschool sessions at Black Bob Bay and Olathe Community Center, as well as a few events connected the library throughout the summer.
- Black Bob Bay, 14570 W. 151st St.
Hours: Open every day 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. starting Saturday
Admission: Residents 3 to 61 $10, 62 and older $5, 2 and under free. Non-residents 3 to 61 $12, 62 and older $5, 2 and under free.
Special features: raft water slides, lazy river, baby pool and 1-meter and 3-meter diving boards.
- Frontier Pool, 15909 W. 127th St.
Hours: Open every day 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., starting Monday
Admission: Residents 3 to 61 $7, 62 and older $5, 2 and under free. Non-residents 3 to 61 $9, 62 and older $5, 2 and under free. Bring your Olathe or Johnson County Library card for a discounted $5 admission.
Special features: water slide, spray features and dive well.
- Lake Olathe, 445 S. Ward Cliff Drive
Hours: Open every day, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. starting Saturday
Admission: Residents 3 to 61 $10, 62 and older $5, 2 and under free. Non-residents 3 to 61 $12, 62 and older $5, 2 and under free.
Special features: beach and Aquapark (with a $10 per hour charge on the latter)
- Mill Creek Pool, 320 E. Poplar St.
Hours: Open 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, starting Monday
Admission: Residents 3 to 61 $7, 62 and older $5, 2 and under free. Non-residents 3 to 61 $9, 62 and older $5, 2 and under free. Bring your Olathe or Johnson County Library card for a discounted $5 admission.
Special features: a water slide, spray features and dive well.
- Olathe Community Center, 1205 E. Kansas City Road
Hours: Open swim hours are 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday, 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Check the online schedule for lap swimming, preschool splash and other program times.
Admission: Day pass for residents 3 to 61 $10, 62 and older $6, 2 and under free. Non-residents pay $12, but 2 and under are free.
Special features: a rock climbing wall with waterfalls, water slides, lazy river and outdoor spray park.
- Oregon Trail Pool, 1750 W. Dennis Ave., starting Monday
Hours: Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 12:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday to Sunday
Admission: Residents 3 to 61 $7, 62 and older $5, 2 and under free. Non-residents 3 to 61 $9, 62 and older $5, 2 and under free. Bring your Olathe or Johnson County Library card for a discounted $5 admission.
Special features: a water slide, spray features and dive well.
A Splash pass is $55 per person and gives unlimited admission to all city aquatic facilities except the community center. However, a Splash Pass is included if you have a membership to the community center. Alternatively, Olathe’s One Pass is $165 for individuals and $260 for up to five family members. The One Pass provides admission to the community center, all aquatic facilities and the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm from May 26 to Sept. 1.