Community, Springfield

Swimming with monsters: Children can backstroke into Haunted Lagoon adventure

SPRINGFIELD – Willamalane Park and Recreation District can barely contain itself when it comes to pulling out all the stops for Halloween. From haunted hayrides, spooky-themed putt-putt, to an aquatic haunt, its facilities are brimming with the creepy, the crawly, and the ever-so-cool through the end of October. 

If you’re looking for a kid-friendly aquatic haunt, Willamalane’s third-annual Haunted Lagoon will be held at the Willamalane Park Swim Center from Friday, Oct. 20 through Sunday, Oct. 22 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Participants can dress up to enjoy a haunted house before changing into swim gear — that is if they dare to swim with ghosts and goblins.

The theme of the haunted house will change this year — but that’s classified information. Brandon Lemcke, Willamalane aquatics program manager, said the water features, monsters, and overall decorations will also be updated from last year, but like a mummy, those details are also under wraps. 

“This is just our third year, so we’re fine turning everything every year. We hear feedback from our community members every year, and we just kinda tailor it to the feedback we hear,” Lemcke said. 

One detail not under wraps: the spa will turn into Mallard Marsh, “where the kiddos can come, and do a spooky-themed ‘duck pluck’ where they fish out their own little rubber ducky to keep,” Lemcke said.

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“(The Haunted Lagoon) is pretty unique, especially in our area, and people can have a really fun experience through a brand new and totally unique Halloween thing,” said Brandon Lemcke, who is Willamalane’s aquatic program manager.

The Haunted Lagoon idea was born three years ago, after Willamalane staff realized there were not many haunted aquatic events for Halloween. 

“It is pretty unique, especially in our area, and people can have a  really fun experience through a brand new and totally unique Halloween thing,” Lemcke said.

No registration is required. If planning on participating, regular swim admission prices apply:

• Toddler (under 3): $3 in-district/$6 out-of-district

• Youth (3-17): $6 in-district/$8 out-of-district

• Adults (18-49): $7 in-district/$10 out-of-district

• Students, Adults 50+, Military: $6 in-district/$8 out-of-district

Other Willamalane Halloween events this year include its Halloween Carnival where games, crafts, and candy will be readily available at Bob Keefer Center on Oct. 29, 1-4 p.m. No registration is required. 

Note: Willamalane’s Ghostly golf, glow-in-the-dark miniature golf at Camp Putt, and the Haunted Hayride at Dorris Ranch are full for the rest of the spooky season. 

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