Barefoot Bay in Mundelein reopens after summer off

Mundelein Park and Recreation District's outdoor water park, Barefoot Bay Family Aquatic Center, will be reopening for the 2021 summer season June 5 after a summer of being closed in 2020 due to COVID-19 mitigations.

Visit www.mundeleinparks.org/aquatics/barefoot-bay. The park opens back up with many changes to the facility, including a new look to the concessions area, new ropes and landing pads on the Critter Walk, a newly painted main pool and some important safety changes.

To conform to current Illinois Department of Public Health and Center for Disease Control guidelines, many procedures at Barefoot Bay have changed. There will be separate lines for season pass holders and general admission to minimize wait times. Visitors will need to wear face coverings while in line at the entrance and concessions, as well as the locker rooms. All visits must be registered for contact tracing purposes. But the biggest change is that the park will be operating at 60% capacity.

"If we reach the 900 guest maximum, we will post it on the Rainout Line at (224) 263-3006 and then update the message hourly," said Erica De Luca, Mundelein Park District's aquatics manager.

"Before you head over, it would be a good idea to check first. Season pass holders get first dibs on entering the park since they can enter one hour before the general public, so that makes it a nice benefit."

"We are thrilled that we are able to open up the water park this summer after being closed last year," Executive Director Ron Salski said. "We are hoping the capacity limit and new procedures are short term and, as the COVID-19 guidelines ease, we can return to regular operations."

Barefoot Bay is a 6-acre, family water retreat at 1461 N. Midlothian Road (Community Park) in Mundelein. Amenities include the 740-foot Lazy River, single and double Tube Slides and Body Slide, zero depth pool and lap lanes, Climb on Critter Walk, 12-foot dive well and diving board, AquaClimb Water Wall, fenced tot and swim area, and concessions with shaded seating.

Barefoot Bay is open daily at 10 a.m. for season pass holders and 11 a.m. for the general public beginning June 5. The park closes at 8 p.m. If the outside temperature is below 70 degrees, the park will close.

For updates, visit www.mundeleinparks.org/rainoutline-weather-updates or call (224) 263-3006.

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