No matter the weather, it is 72 degrees in Newark’s 32,000-square-foot Silliman Activity and Family Aquatic Center. With a combination of large slides, a lazy river, basketball hoops, an open lap pool, and a children’s activity pool with a spraying play structure, kids of all ages will have a blast at this indoor water park. And, since it’s a city-run facility, the cost of admission is affordable at $12 per person over age 3.
Parents can relax poolside or join in the fun. Obviously, don’t walk away from your toddler, but my grade schoolers were quite content to roam freely.
Unfortunately, the lazy River & Water Slides will be closed until further notice due to maintenance issues.
We drove about 30 minutes south of Oakland to arrive at the aquatic center in Newark. Public recreation swim was open at 12:30 so we got in line about 15 minutes before then. Though we still waited about 30 minutes in line, we got into the facility with the first crush. It was about as crowded as one would be able to tolerate so, in that sense, I’m glad they limit capacity.
The downside is that if you arrived on the wrong end of the capacity threshold, waiting times can be 90 minutes or more. Imagining one and a half hours of starting through the smudged glass window in what passes for a cafe with my eager child sounds like a fifth level of hell to me. So plan accordingly!
But once you get in, it is public pool nirvana!
The fabulous facilities at Silliman Aquatic Center include:
- One main play pool — about 3 feet deep — with a basketball hoop on one end and a rope separating it from the main children’s play area.
- Zero entry small children’s activity area. Little kids play on a cool slide structure with many water sprayers, shooters, and fountains (some of which can be controlled by hand-cranks and steering wheels and some that surprise you); expect to get soaked.
- Two tall water slides. In my expert opinion, the blue slide is fun and the purple tube slide is more thrilling and wedgie-inducing but short. You must be 48 inches to ride the big slides.
- A lazy river enclosing the water slides with its own water dumping and spray features. At the time of my visit, and confirmed by a recent visit from another contributor, there were only 14 floating inner tubes for hundreds of people. Tubes are free to borrow, you just have to wait your turn. You can also swim, float, and bonk your brother around the river without a flotation device.
- One lap pool for boring grown-ups, probably.
Our children, ages 3, 8, and 10 had a fantastic time. In fact, the three-year-old has asked repeatedly since our visit if I could just drop him off and he promises to stay in the “safe” pool and stick to his age-appropriate slide.
More Silliman details adults will want to know:
- The locker room was adequate.
- Remember your own towel.
- Life vests are available to borrow. Only USCG-approved life vests are allowed. No floaties.
- Bring a locker lock or rent one for about $2.50.
- No outside food allowed.
- Ample free parking in the surrounding parking lot.
Plan your visit to Silliman Aquatic Center
You can buy tickets to enter online and go straight to the line in the hallway to wait to be allowed in. What you want is “Recreation Open Swim” (access to play structure, splashing pool, lazy river, and big slides) at the George M. Silliman Community Activity Center. Check the hours and then double-check them here. Call the number below to confirm which features are operating.
Rates for single-day drop-in
Infants/Toddlers (0-2 yrs.) $4 and includes a swim diaper
General Admission (3-54 yrs.) $13
Discounts available for Newark residents and season pass holders.
Website >>
Address: 6800 Mowry Ave, Newark, CA 94560
Phone: (510) 578-4620
[Photos exclusively for 510families]
3 thoughts on “Silliman Aquatic Center: Crazy Fun Indoor Water Park”
AC in restrooms are way too cold. This type of weather doesn’t require AC at all. Not environmental friendly!!!
I’m really like to see an actual “silliman center.com” website. That would be cool.
Hello. I see the general admission up to 54 years old is $12. Is there a general admission if you are older than 54?