Located at the north end of Crystal Lake Park, the Urbana Park District’s Crystal Lake Park Family Aquatic Center shares a parking lot with the Anita Purves Nature Center. On busy days, you can use the roped off overflow parking area off Broadway Avenue or park in Crystal Lake Park. The aquatic center is celebrating its first full summer of operation, and the new facility boasts some exciting features unique to our area.
Climbing Wall
The climbing wall is one of only a handful of this style in the U.S. It extends over the diving well and challenges folks to make it to the top. And whether you do or not, you just drop back down into the water at the end of your climb. You must be able to swim in deep water to use this feature.
Diving Board
Many aquatic facilities have eliminated diving boards from their plans. Ours has one and you can enjoy a jump any time during public swim.
Bring Your Own Food
We welcome you to bring a snack or a meal when you visit Crystal Lake Park Family Aquatic Center. Bring a soft-sided cooler and leave glass containers at home. Drinks must be in sealed bottles. We have a water station so you can fill empty bottles when you arrive. All coolers are inspected at the entrance.
Sand Play
Water and sand go together. Children can use the sand toys and their imagination to create castles and more. This area is shady in the late afternoon.
Vortex
This swirling area of water provides resistance for water walking or a fun eddy to play in.
Streambed
Flowing water over boulders makes for a water play experience that is ideal for toddlers and preschoolers.
Wet Deck
Ahhhh….Who doesn’t love the feeling of dipping their toes in the water on a hot summer day? Adults can do this from the comfort of a chair in zero depth entry area of the recreation pool.
Eight Lap Lanes
Lap swimming for exercise remains popular and the competition pool is used not only for the district’s Nadiators summer swim team, there are lap swim times in the early morning an over the lunch hour. Some lanes remain open during public swim, but on a more limited basis.
Regular summer hours are 12:30-8pm on weekdays, with early admission at noon for season pass holders and 11am-8pm Saturday and Sunday. When school is back in session in August hours will change accordingly. Crystal Lake Park Family Aquatic Center is open through Labor Day.
Admission is $6 for residents and $9 for nonresidents. Thursday admission is discounted. Five or 10-visit punch cards are available, as well as season passes.
The staff is trained by Starfish Aquatics and works hard to ensure your safety and that you have a lot of fun. A manager is always on duty to answer questions. We welcome your feedback. Ask at the entrance for a comment card to offer suggestions.
Does your family want to try out the UPD’s Crystal Lake Aquatic Center? You can with this fantastic giveaway- one family four pack to the Urbana Aquatic Center by leaving a comment (mandatory) and tell us: what is your favorite outdoor summer memory?
For a second entry, be sure to ‘like’ ‘Crystal Lake Aquatic Center’ Facebook Page. Come back and tell us that you did (or already do).
For entries three, four, five etc. share this post on your favorite social media site and make sure to tag Crystal Lake Aquatic Center. Be sure to come back and leave another comment to let us know that you did, with a link, please, every time.
Ready, Set, Go!
No purchase necessary. Contest will be wrapped up by 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 8 . Winner will be picked at random. Open to U.S. residents 18 and older. Prize valued at $36 (no cash value).