The roar of the Wild Wave Pool still echoes in my ears. Splashtown San Antonio. That’s what this place was. A place of pure, unadulterated summer fun. Remember the half-million-gallon wave pool? The quarter-mile lazy river? The sheer number of slides?
Splashtown San Antonio wasn’t just a water park. It was a San Antonio institution. For over 30 years families created memories there. Kids shrieked with delight. Adults relaxed on the lazy river. It was a vibrant hub of activity from May to September. The park opened in 1985 as Water Park USA. It changed hands a few times. Finally Chrismari Inc. took ownership in 1991.
Keith Kinney. A name synonymous with Splashtown’s later years. He became the sole owner in 2006. He poured his heart into the place. He knew every slide every curve every splash. He understood the magic of this place. He understood the joy it brought. He knew the value of those memories.
This wasn’t just about slides and pools. It was about the camaraderie. It was about the sun-baked skin. The smell of sunscreen and hot dogs. Think about the screams on the Texas Free Fall. The laughter on the Stingray Racer. The quiet contentment floating down the Paradise River. The park had something for everyone. From the tiniest tots in the Kid’s Kove to the thrill-seekers tackling the Tornado.
But all good things must end. In 2021 the gates closed for good. The wave pool fell silent. The slides stood empty. Splashtown San Antonio became another memory. Another nostalgic postcard. A car dealership now stands where the water once flowed. A stark reminder of time’s relentless march. A testament to the ephemeral nature of summer fun. Yet the memories the joy the laughter they remain. They are etched into the hearts of those who experienced the magic of Splashtown San Antonio. They live on.