Centennial Beach
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Location | Naperville, Illinois, USA |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | |
| Altitude | 217 m |
Centennial Beach is a public aquatic park located within an abandoned, double quarry alongside the DuPage River in Naperville, Illinois. The facility covers almost six acres (24,000 m²) of land with a full two acres (8,000 m²) or 6.2 million gallions of open water, all tested, re-circulated and chlorinated on site. Among its features is a sand beach (offering zero-depth entry), floating rafts, depth controlled swim areas and a NCAA and USS -approved diving complex, which houses two one-meter springboards and one three-meter board. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day, Centennial Beach receives about 155,000 visitors each year, plays host to various athletic events and is known for its nationally competitive lifeguard team.
[edit] Skatepark
Centennial Beach has a skatepark built in just to the west of it. Many skaters are drawn to this, and enjoy it as well. The skatepark opens at 9:00 AM, and closes at dusk.
[edit] History
Centennial Beach was purchased by the Permanent Memorial Committee in 1930. The Committee was appointed by Win Knoch, General Chairman of the Naperville Centennial Celebration, and consisted of 32 residents who each paid $500 to purchase a large and small limestone quarry from the Von Oven estate for the 100th anniversary of Naperville's founding.
According to a booklet produced by the Naperville Park District in 2006 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Beach, in the 1930s, income from the Beach was used to finance city projects. The limestone bathhouses were completed in 1935.
A variety of water shows took place at the Beach, including the first water show in 1935, a variety of shows in the 1940s and 1950s, and Aquathon I in 1955.
During a significant flood on July 18, 1996, 17 inches of rain caused water levels to rise to the top of the high dive (three meters), contaminating the chlorinated water with river water and storm water. After the waters receded, the Beach was emptied, cleaned and refilled.
