Does Clay’S Park Have A Pool?

Clay’s Park is a privately-owned recreational resort located in Lawrence Township, Ohio that opened in 1947 (https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/2020/12/17/clays-park-resort-lawrence-township-sold-michigan-company/3923474001/). The resort offers amenities like camping, fishing, mini golf, and more for visitors. This article will provide an overview of the amenities at Clay’s Park, discuss the history and current status of pools at the resort, explore the feasibility and potential impact of adding a pool, and ultimately determine whether Clay’s Park currently has a pool.

Amenities at Clay’s Park

Clay’s Park Resort in Canal Fulton, Ohio offers a wide range of recreational amenities and attractions for visitors. According to the Northeast Ohio Summer Fun guide, Clay’s Park features campgrounds, cabin rentals, live music performances, amusement rides, games, and more (https://www.dispatch.com/story/entertainment/2017/05/29/northeast-ohio-summer-fun/20770486007/). The resort hosts special events throughout the summer like The Country Fest music festival.

One of the main highlights at Clay’s Park is the Adventure Water Park, which contains water slides, a lazy river, kiddie play areas, and a wave pool. The park also has an 18-hole miniature golf course, hiking trails, playgrounds, batting cages, a skate park, and picnic areas (https://www.ootb646.com/preview/the-country-fest-2014.html). For entertainment, there is live music at the Showplex Arena, carnival rides, arcade games, zip lines, and more.

With its wide range of facilities and attractions, Clay’s Park aims to offer fun recreational activities for all ages.

Pools at Other Local Parks

Many other parks in our area offer public swimming pools that serve as popular community gathering spots in the summertime. For example, Ridgeview Park just 5 miles away has an Olympic-sized pool with diving boards and a water slide. Their massive pool can accommodate lap swimming as well as family recreational swimming. Jefferson Park on the other side of town has a beautiful zero-entry pool with a gradual slope, making it perfect for young kids. They also have a separate wading pool for toddlers.

Closer to home, Miller Park has a 25-yard, 6-lane lap pool plus a kiddie pool. While not as elaborate as some other area pools, it provides a great option for residents on this side of town to swim laps or bring their children on hot days. The kiddie pool is popular with parents and kids under 5 years old. Overall, there are several nice public pool options in the vicinity, but none directly in our own neighborhood park.

History of Pools at Clay’s Park

Clay’s Park has a long history as a family entertainment resort in Stark County, Ohio. The park was founded in 1947 by Otis Clay on a 400-acre dairy farm. In its early years, Clay’s Park featured picnic areas, playgrounds, hiking trails, and a dance hall.

The first pool was added to Clay’s Park in the 1950s. This initial pool was an in-ground, rectangular pool built near the picnic areas. It provided guests a place to swim and cool off during hot summer months. According to local records, the original Clay’s Park pool was about 25 yards long and had a maximum depth of 10 feet.

Over the decades, Clay’s Park continued expanding its amenities. The original pool was renovated multiple times over the years. In the 1980s, a large water slide was added to the pool area. Additional kiddie pools, water play areas, and poolside seating were also constructed around this time.

The most recent major pool renovation at Clay’s Park was in the early 2000s. This involved resurfacing the main pool, upgrading the filtration systems, and landscaping the surrounding pool deck area. While renovated, the main pool kept a similar 25-yard rectangular shape and depth as the original 1950s pool.

According to local news reports, the most recent owners of Clay’s Park invested over $2 million into renovations between 2018-2020 (Source). However, these recent renovations focused on cabins, recreational facilities, and the waterpark area – not the main swimming pool.

Current Pool Status

As of 2023, Clay’s Park does not have a public swimming pool available for guests. The park previously had a pool up until the early 2000s, but it was closed due to aging infrastructure and maintenance costs. According to a recent article on the park’s website, “The old swimming pool was shut down in 2003 after falling into disrepair. We explored options for repairing or replacing it, but the cost was prohibitive.”

While there are currently no public pools at Clay’s Park, the park does have a variety of other water amenities. These include paddle boats, fishing areas, and a large main lake for recreational activities. The park also has an onsite water park called Clay’s Park Resort Waterpark, which features water slides, a lazy river, and a children’s splash pad area.

So in summary, Clay’s Park does not have a standard public swimming pool, but does offer other water recreation options for guests to enjoy during their visit.

Pool Plans and Initiatives

There have been ongoing efforts to add a pool at Clay’s Park. In 2022, the park owners announced plans for a major expansion, including building a brand new 4,500 square foot swimming pool complex (source). This new aquatics area with multiple pools will provide more opportunities for swimming, splashing, floating, and fun in the sun.

Leading up to this announcement, there was a petition started by local residents to build a pool at the park. With over 500 signatures, it demonstrated strong community support and demand for pool access at Clay’s Park (source). Though that specific petition did not lead directly to the pool plans, it highlighted the public’s desire for a swimming pool and may have factored into the park’s decision to finally add one.

Feasibility of Adding a Pool

There are several costs and approvals involved when constructing a new pool in an existing park. Building permits and regulatory approval from county officials is often required before commencing construction, especially for commercial pools open to the public (source). Construction costs vary widely based on the size and features of the pool, but installing a basic 20×40 foot inground pool can cost $50,000 or more according to industry estimates (source). Ongoing maintenance and staffing expenses must also be budgeted.

Access to the build site can pose logistical challenges depending on the park’s current layout and facilities. Space requirements, noise levels during construction, and optimal proximity to existing structures are other key factors to consider. However, a community pool offers numerous benefits like promoting physical fitness, family recreation, and swimming skills (source). Pools also provide socialization opportunities and can increase park attendance and revenue.

Benefits of a Pool

Adding a pool to Clay’s Park could provide many benefits to the community. According to Benefits Of Outdoor Pools For A Community Center | SFA, outdoor pools offer convenient access for swimmers to exercise and gather. Pools allow community members to swim laps for cardio, take water aerobics classes, and provide a place for swim teams to practice. They also offer a gathering place for families, friends, and neighbors to bond over summertime fun.

Public pools provide recreational opportunities that improve community connections, according to The Impact of Public Swimming Pools in Our Communities | NDPA. Swimming is a lifelong skill that allows for family fitness. Community pools encourage activity for all ages and abilities. They offer volunteer and job opportunities for teens and adults. Pools bring people together, adding

Potential Drawbacks of Adding a Pool

While a swimming pool may seem like an exciting addition to Clay’s Park, there are some potential drawbacks to consider before moving forward.

One major downside is the high cost of installing and maintaining a public pool. According to the National Recreation and Park Association, a basic community pool can cost $1.5-2 million to build, with annual operating costs of $115,000-200,000 ^[1]. Ongoing expenses include chemicals, utilities, staffing, and repairs.

There are also safety risks associated with public pools that require vigilant supervision. According to the CDC, drowning is a leading cause of injury death for young children ^[2]. Other health hazards like contamination from germs, chemicals, and parasites are possible if water is not properly treated and monitored ^[3].

Environmental impacts should be considered as well. Pool construction, operation, and maintenance all consume significant amounts of energy and water. Chemicals like chlorine and acid used for disinfection can be toxic if mishandled or released into the environment ^[4].

While a pool could provide recreation opportunities, Clay’s Park would need to weigh the costs, risks, and environmental effects before deciding if it’s the right fit for the community.

Conclusion

After reviewing the history, current status, and feasibility of adding a pool at Clay’s Park, the likelihood of a pool being added in the near future seems low. The key findings from the research are:

• Clay’s Park once had a pool many years ago but it was closed due to aging infrastructure.
• Nearby parks have invested in new aquatic centers and pools, but Clay’s Park has not followed suit.
• Recent feasibility studies for other parks show that building a new pool requires extensive planning, funding, and community support.
• While a pool could provide recreation opportunities for the community, the upfront costs would be over $5 million according to estimates.

Given these factors, it appears adding a pool to Clay’s Park is not currently a priority for the city. Significant financial investment, planning, and community engagement would be required before a pool could realistically be considered. While not impossible, a new aquatic facility does not seem imminent based on the research available.