Splash!

This summer, Willamalane is hoping to expand food options at Splash! We need your help—tag your favorite local food trucks and vendors you want to see posted up at the pool. 🍹🌊
Interested food vendors can fill out this form: https://willamalane.org/participate/call-to-vendors

Exciting news! YOUR park and recreation district was named a finalist for the 2026 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management. This places Springfield among the nation’s leading park and recreation systems. In its 82-year history, Willamalane has won the Gold Medal Grand Plaque in 2016 and 1986, and has been a finalist for the award eight other times. The 2026 Grand Plaque winner will be announced at the National Recreation and Park Association Conference in September. Read more at willamalane.org/blog

Get your 1Pass starting this Friday, May 8, to unlock daily waterpark swims this summer!🌊

A lot of folks have been wondering what happened to the inner tubes at Splash!?
To be frank, the cost of inner tubes increased exponentially in the last few years, with the annual cost fluctuating between 5-14 times what it used to be. With this price increase, innertubes have been out of reach for the district, especially given how often they need to be replaced.

Inner tube prices aren't the only example of rising costs. An upward trend in the cost of goods and services has led Willamalane to a difficult spot, where expenses have outpaced revenues in the last two years. To address these budget gaps, the district has strategically cut more than $1 million from its operating budget and taken other steps to increase efficiency and expand revenues.

We know that for many people, the inner tubes are an important part of what makes Splash so much fun. As the district navigates rising costs, we will continue to explore solutions. In the meantime, thank you for your patience and understanding.

Willamalane has referred a measure to the May 19, 2026, ballot so voters can decide what they’d like to see from the district going forward. So, why now?
For many years, the district has maintained a balanced budget, with revenues outpacing expenses. However, in the last two budget years, the district’s expenses outpaced revenues. Contributing expenses include increased demand for services, facilities, and parks, rising costs of goods, services, and labor, limitations of current revenue streams, and impacts from the pandemic and the ice storm, which depleted reserve funds.
To address this gap in revenue and expenses, Willamalane reduced its annual budget by over $1 million in the last year. Since then, the district has also:
- Reorganized all staff to increase efficiency, including eliminating vacant administrative and leadership positions
- Discontinued some recreation programs
- Reduced budgets for materials and services

The proposed levy would help bridge funding gaps to preserve current levels of service. The district would continue to seek additional revenue strategies to support long-term sustainability and close budget gaps. For FAQs and more information, visit willamalane.org/levy

*Edit to add: Assessed value is different than market value. You can find your property's assessed value using the tool at willamalane.org/levy

Willamalane has referred a measure to the May 19, 2026, ballot. If passed, the measure would authorize a new property tax that would help pay for current park and recreation operations, including park safety, recreation programs, and wildfire prevention efforts. The proposed levy would help bridge funding gaps to preserve current levels of service. If not passed, programs and services would not be provided as proposed and property taxes would not be increased.

This is the first time the district has sought a local option levy to fund general operations since the district's permanent tax rate was established in 1997. For FAQs and more information, visit willamalane.org/levy

Many people have been asking about the swim test required to become a lifeguard. Since there's a Lifeguard and Instructor Hiring Event tonight, now is a great time to dive into the details!🛟🤿

For starters, you must be able to swim. It's preferred that you can swim more than 30-45 mph (to outpace the fastest hunting speed of a great white shark). This is especially necessary if you're hoping to be stationed at Splash!.

You also must be able to dive approximately 1,000-3,000 feet without needing to come up for air. You'll get hired on the spot if you can breathe underwater or if you can detect motion, pressure changes, and vibrations underwater using a lateral line system. Previous shark handling experience appreciated.

*Before you come for us, this is not AI. We have a very talented human graphic designer.

Pool maintenance update: the Splash closure is extended through Nov. 21. The extra five days will allow sufficient time for repairs to the wave pool concrete to dry. Splash will reopen on Saturday, Nov. 22. Swim lessons that begin on Saturday, Nov. 22, will continue as scheduled at Splash. During the closure, head over to Willamalane Park Swim Center for recreation swims. View the pool schedules at willamalane.org/alerts

*Pictured is the empty wave pool. The wave chambers can be seen in the back of the pool.