Watervliet celebrates opening of Little Critter’s Waterpark

WATERVLIET, N.Y. — Local youth will now be able to enjoy a new waterpark in Watervliet. The city held a ribbon-cutting this week for the grand opening of its Little Critter’s Waterpark, Watervliet Mayor Charles Patricelli was joined by officials and kids ready to have fun splashing around in the park.

After months of construction, both the pool and spray pad opened for the summer season. The spray pad was a donation by former resident Scott Earl, costing $500,000.

“I want to really officially open this splash pad area here today and I know we’ve been waiting for a long time,” Patricelli said.

Patricelli also commented on the excitement abound by city kids taking full advantage of the spray toys and water slide.

“I know these kids have been coming out of their skin for a while, waiting for this time to happen,” Patricelli added.

Patricelli, who announced the construction of the park last October, thanked everyone for helping the project come to fruition. Earl, owner of Prestige Vending and Twin Bridges Waste Management and Recycling, donated $500,000 toward the construction of the splash pad. Additionally, Wizard Works owner Mark Aragona, helped design the park.

Adjacent to the city’s Veterans Memorial Swimming Pool, the Little Critter’s Waterpark encompasses two major attractions.

The park has a spray ground that provides 13 interactive play features. All the play toys are mounted on the ground so that the children do not have to climb tall structures. The play features are all activated by the participants, so they have full control over their squirts and gushes, and all the sprays are gentle for safe play. The centerpiece is an interactive tugboat clubhouse. Surrounding the tugboat are characters such as a turtle, ladybug, fish, and crocodile.

Secondly, the park features a multi-level play structure with five spacious decks at various elevations, capped off at the top by a big water slide. The play structure is adorned with 17 soaking wet play features such as water blasters, tippy buckets, arch jets, pump stations, and water wheels. It’s impossible not to get wet, which after all, is really the point.

The entire waterpark is designed for parents to sit in one place and be able to watch their children play in the spray ground and on the play structure.

In order to access the pool and splash pad and spray ground, residents will need passes. Costs include: (Residents – $10.00 adults, $5.00 children; Non-Residents – $20.00 adults, $10.00 children; Day Passes –  $10.00 adults, $5.00 children). Residents must show proof of residency. Passes may be obtained at city hall, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.