Parrot Island WaterPark, Ben Geren Regional Park

Fort Smith, AR
Construction Cost: $10.9 million
Area / Square Feet: 21,000 / 15 acres
Occupancy Date: May 2015

The City of Fort Smith partnered with Sebastian County to create this one-of-a-kind waterpark in Ben Geren Regional Park. The project began in 2008 with a comprehensive feasibility study, which revealed great demand for a unique aquatic center within this urban area of more than 250,000.

Parrot Island consists of three separate bodies of water offering water excitement for all ages. Tiny Turtle Island is a family-friendly shallow pool at the center of the facility. The pool has a Caribbean-themed play structure highlighted by numerous interactive features. Next to the shallow pool is a massive waterslide complex, Toucan Lagoon. The slide tower has four different slide options for visitors, such as hair-raising speed slides and twisting-and-turning tube slides.

Connected to the slide pool is a lazy river and a pool that entertains and relaxes. Guests can float around the river and get soaked by the water-dumping palm trees, and more-active individuals can shoot basketballs at hoops or keep themselves moving on the floatable walk. Rounding out the trio of pools is a wave pool capable of producing a variety of wave patterns, keeping patrons constantly guessing what will be next.

Energy-efficient components, such as variable-frequency drives, help reduce water usage and power consumption throughout the life of the facility. Careful planning was devoted to amenity size and location with the goal of creating a cost-effective and efficient layout for lifeguard rotations and control points.