White Hall water park sees highest profits

White Hall’s Crenshaw Springs Water Park’s 10th anniversary also proved its biggest year, both in profits and attendance.

Last year, the water park at 9801 Dollarway Rd. was visited by about 25,000 people, averaging about 360 per day. During the summer season, it’s generally open for about 70 days.

The city’s daily summer season usually starts Memorial Day weekend and ends about a week before public schools start in late July or early August.

“It was our best year ever,” Jeff May, the city’s deputy mayor, said.

The park features two large flume slides, a lazy river, a toddler splash pad and slide, a zero-depth entry area, diving boards, a rock-climbing wall, a concession stand and more.

There’s nothing else like it in the immediate area, May said.

The $12 entrance fee is attractive to families on a budget, as it is often a fraction of the cost of other water entertainment venues for a single-day visit.

It’s also safe, family-friendly and easy to get from Interstate 530, May said. He added the water park pulled in visitors from across Arkansas, bordering states and even Alabama.

While the staff gets to know the regulars, May said they saw a larger number of unfamiliar faces last summer.

The profits

While the city itself doesn’t profit from the water park, its 10th-anniversary ticket and concession stand sales were lucrative, totaling about $435,000.

That’s about $53,000 more than in 2023, May said.

The profits are used as operating capital for the water park and White Hall Community Center, also on Dollarway Road, and for employee payroll, repairs, supplies and improvements.

In fact, the water park has operated without “any tax dollars” from the city. However, it could use money from the city’s Advertising and Promotion tax, which is collected from restaurants and hotels, if needed.

The tax is earmarked to help maintain or improve parks, public places or recreation facilities or to advertise the city, but since its opening, they haven’t had to dip into it.

Why a water park?

Current White Hall Mayor Noel Foster and his predecessor, James “Jitters” Morgan, who pushed for the water park’s construction during his administration, viewed the jobs it created as an investment in the city’s children’s future and education.

At that time, there were few job opportunities for kids in White Hall. However, May said that changed with the water park’s opening in 2014.

It’s now possibly the city’s largest youth employer.

Of the total money it generates annually, around $150,000 goes to payroll.

May said, “Many kids who start with us in high school stay with us through college.”

Upcoming season

This year, the Crenshaw Springs Water Park officially opens on May 25, during the Memorial Day weekend.

It will be open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m.

Kids 3 years and under get in free.

A one-day pass costs $12 for kids and adults and $10 for active military personnel and seniors 65 and older.

A 10-visit pass is $100, with no age or residency restrictions, and a season pass for White Hall School District residents is $55. Group rates are available for groups of 20 or more.