dive right in dive right in

listings by James Johonnott

Looking for ways to get back into the swim of things this summer? Or maybe you’re just looking for an excuse to soak up some sun? Either way, there’s no shortage of beachy keen things to keep your summer on the bright side. Make a splash at the pool, as most Chippewa Valley waterparks and pools reopen this June! Rent a canoe or kayak and get out on the water. Or take a peek at the superb Ski Sprites water ski show. No matter what, don’t forget to lather on some sunscreen and make every splash count!

BEST OF SUMMER! BEST OF SUMMER!

Eau Claire County

BIG FALLS COUNTY PARK off both County Hwy Q and County Hwy K

COON FORK LAKE COUNTY PARK off County Hwy CF • 2 locations: swimming beaches on both the east and west sides of the 80 acre lake

HARSTAD COUNTY PARK off Cty Hwy HHH, Augusta

LAKE ALTOONA COUNTY PARK off County ND, Augusta

Beaches

Swim at your own risk. Remember your floaties.

Best Beach

Is there sand in my eyes or am I seeing this right?! Big Falls County Park (600 Big Falls Forest Road, Fall Creek) claimed frst on the list for best beach once again! It must be the timeless beauty of nature that leaves people wanting more. Now, from the South Side of Lake Wissota to reclaiming second is Ray’s Beach (18124 County Hwy. X, Chippewa Falls). It’s sticking to the hearts of the community, like the sand inside your swimsuit! And fnally, back again in third is Lake Wazee (N6302 Brockway Road, Black River Falls). Whether you’re looking to canoe/kayak, swim, or lounge, this beach is nothing but fun in the sun.

Chippewa County

LAKE WISSOTA STATE PARK off County Hwy O (Ray’s Beach on south end of Wissota, off County Hwy X)

MORRIS ERICKSON COUNTY PARK Beach on Lower Long Lake, New Auburn

OTTER LAKE COUNTY PARK 35309 170th Ave, Stanley

PINE POINT PARK on Holcombe Flowage

ROUND LAKE COUNTY PARK 117th St.

RAY’S BEACH 18124 Cty. Highway X

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POOLS & WATERPARKS

A big box of water for you to splash in —

BERNARD F. WILLI OUTDOOR POOL on Bridgewater Avenue, next to Marshall Park, Chippewa Falls • (715) 726-2733 • chippewafalls-wi.gov This pool has a very shallow end for children and a deeper end that a water slide empties into. Opens the first Saturday in June, and closes in mid-August. Passes are $3/person. Infants under 12 months are free. Open swim during Monday-Friday: noon-6pm; Weekends: 1-6pm.

FAIRFAX POOL 4200 Fairfax Park Dr., Eau Claire • (715) 839-1680 • pr@eauclairewi.gov • ci.eau-claire.wi.us The facility includes a main pool with zero depth entry and an Olympic size, eight lane, 50 meter swimming area. A stationary waterslide, 22 feet high with a flume extending 150 feet, is one of the main attractions of the pool. The pool also features a “Raindrop” in the zero depth area of the pool. A separate diving well includes both a one-meter and a three-meter diving board. Pool pass is $4.25. The pool is open from last weekend of May through the first weekend of September. Open Monday-Friday, 11:30am-7pm; Saturdays, 11:30am-6pm; Sundays, 1-6pm.

City of Eau Claire

HALF MOON BEACH off Whipple Street

RIVERVIEW PARK at 2711 Riverview Drive

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Dunn County

PINE VIEW COUNTY PARK South of Menomonie, Eau Galle.

WAKANDA WATERPARK 909 Pine Ave E, Menomonie • (715) 232-5050 • menomonie-wi. gov The large Wakanda Park features 13,914 square feet of water surface, a 230-foot-long, 31-foot high waterslide, and a 20-foot-long, 12-foot high drop slide. Passes are $3-5, kids under 1 FREE. Season runs from late May to late August., 11:30am-8pm, Monday - Friday; 11:30am-6pm, Saturday; 1-6pm Sunday

CHAOS WATER PARK 5150 Fairview Dr., Eau Claire • 715-852-6000 • ChaosWaterParkFun. com Looking for some family fun? Visit Chaos, the Valley’s only indoor waterpark which features multiple slides, an activity pool, hot tub, lily pads, lazy river and kiddie area. Visit ChaosWaterParkFun.com for admission and seasonal hours.