Surrounding area pools

I must say that it probably sounds strange to go to other pools in other cities. However, Topeka pools have a problem with being over crowded. There really isn't a deep part of the pool that the community pools let you hang out in here. I think that as a child that was my favorite part of swimming. I loved to go to the bottom of the deep end and dive for things or see who could touch the bottom first. My brother has been a life guard at the Enterprise pool the last two years, so we go there a lot. Enterprise is a tiny town west of Junction City. All the people there know each other. It was fun getting to meet everyone and having a pool to go to that is relaxed. The pool was small but it offered a driving board and slide. They would allow the swimmers to play games and swim in the deep end, which I thought was extremely cool.

Photos of my brother Isaiah Piper life guarding and the Enterprise Pool

Photo by Cortney Piper

Kansas River

My daughter and her cousin on the sandy shores of the Kansas River

 Photo By Stephanie Smith 



The Kansas River is beautiful and now that we finally got some rain this year it is even prettier.  I really enjoy looking over at the water while crossing the Topeka Boulevard bridge. The river runs through Topeka and is 170 miles long. It runs from Junction City to Kansas City.



Photo of the weir

Found on Kansas+River+drown.jpg on www.wibw.com

 

A cool place to access the river is the weir, at NW 14th Street and NW Warren in Topeka. I had the opportunity to go to the weir this year. Which I would describe as a fishing platform in the middle of the Kansas River. After doing some research, I found that a "weir is a barrier across a river designed to alter its flow." (Definition from Wikipedia) Which makes it a great place to catch fish! I enjoyed watching all the fishermen do their thing. One day, I would like to have a tackle box and take my girl fishing. Right now, we are new to the outdoor world and she is too little to sit for long periods of time. We had an epic fail the last time we tried and we both just kind of  thought at the same time that we were not ready for fishing yet. I few more years and I might be able to get her out there and we will learn together and I am sure we will enjoy the Kansas River more.

Lake Perry

 

Lake Perry Party Cove

Photo from myspace.com

Lake Perry is located between Topeka and Lawrence. I have been to the Lake Perry area many times and the landscape is lovely. I have also spent time there on the water during Fourth of July and they put on a really great show. They have camping and cabins to stay in. I really liked everyone that we encountered while there. The photo above is of party cove, and it looks like so much fun.

Public Pools in Topeka



                                           

 Photo of the pirate ship at Shawnee North Aquatic Center

Photo By Cortney Piper



We go up to the Shawnee North Aquatic Center often and there is a lot for my four year old and I to do. They have a kiddie area with two slides, a pirate ship that spews water out of everything, a large pool, a lazy river, diving  boards, and four adult/child friendly slides. They have a great concessions area that provides shade from the sun and tons of lawn chairs. The admission fees are $5 for adults and $4 for children. I would suggest going here when you want to spend the day in the sun.

We also frequent the Hillcrest Pool. This pool is smaller and offers a nice place to go when it is hot outside and you need to go somewhere and didn't make plans. They offer an adorable frog slide for the young children, two diving boards, and two slides for swimmers. I like the community feeling of this pool but they close at 5:00 in the heat of the day which is hard for me to understand. It is only $2 to get in and I think it is worth the money.

The Blaisdell Pool at Gage Park has the same prices as the Shawnee North Pool but I feel is always super busy. I like the way this pool is set up but I do think that it is often times over crowded. They offer slides, diving boards, a tiny kiddie pool, and concessions.

 

 

Schlitterbahn Water Park

Picture of the Verruckt, the largest water slide in the world

Photo from Schlitterban.com

I am not just into natural waterways. I also love to go to water parks and community pools. This place is awesome! This year they introduced the "Verruckt " (which means crazy in German) which is the largest water slide in the World! It is a 168 feet in the air, 17 stories, and it get to the top will take you 264 steps. I am sorry to say that I have not made it there this year to try it out but I have been to Schlitterbahn and I am a big fan. I love that they have wading pools that you can sit in as you are waiting in the lines to get on the slides. They also have reinvented the lazy river, into a lazy river and wave pool all in one. The waves go so high and it is so exciting to be in there if you are an experienced swimmer. Or they provide rafts and lifeguards if you would just like to relax and ride the waves. This place is $53.99 for adults and $43.99 for children and seniors. I do prefer this place to some of the other water parks around because, they allow you to bring in a cooler with your own food and drinks. They also have free parking which is a big expense that is often times over looked when planning trips. I was really impressed with this place when I went and it wasn't even finished yet. I bet it is even better and more exciting now. The website has more information too. Here is the link www.schlitterban.com

 

The Shunganunga Creek



Photo of the Shunganunga Creek in the fall

Photo found on www.flickr.com

 



The Shunganunga Creek runs through Topeka and offers many sites and a great walk if you cannot get out of town. The name of the creek comes from an Indian word meaning " race course." Which fits the creek because it runs through the city zigging and zagging every which way. Topeka has developed an area that runs beside the water into a path that is great for exercising and fitness. The pavement walkway is wide and a great place to bike, run, and walk. There are also lots of cool little spots off the walkway to explore too. My favorite part of the trail is behind Felker baseball park. You can see the pavement trail from the natural dog trails (is what I can them) but I think that the area is a little more secluded, so please take a friend.