Sengme Oaks Water Park is a water park in Pauma Valley, California.[1] Formerly abandoned, it was renovated and remodeled by the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians and was reopened in 2023.[2] It was the first water park in America on a Native reservation.[3]
| Sengme Oaks Water Park | |
|---|---|
| Location | 715 Sengme Oaks Rd, Pauma Valley, CA 92061 |
| Coordinates | 33°16′27″N 116°51′26″W / 33.2741°N 116.8571°W |
| Owner | La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians |
| Opened | 2023 |
| Status | Operating |
| Area | 20 acres (8.1 ha) |
| Pools | 2 pools |
| Water slides | 5 water slides |
History
editThe water park initially opened on July 4, 1985, and had eight slides, with people being able to reach 50 mph (80 km/h) on some.[4] Slides were manufactured by WhiteWater West. It measured 20 acres (8.1 ha) in size and could hold 2,000 people in all. A wave pool and tube rapids were added later.[5] During its peak, it utilized 45 employees. Many of the people visiting the park were from San Diego, about 60 mi (97 km) south, so when water parks began to appear there, guests began to dwindle despite its strong start in its early decades. The park closed in 2008. It was not destroyed and its remains were popular with urban explorers. Many of the structures were graffitied.[3]
Features
editThe new park has two pools, a larger, shallow, one with three slides and a "mushroom fountain" in its center — seven jets arc over the pool from the edges. The smaller pool is deeper and has two spiral slides that are faster than the ones at the larger pool.[2]
See also
edit- Lake Dolores Waterpark, another abandoned water park
References
edit- ^ Schad, Jerry (May 29, 2003). "Get soaked at the La Jolla Indian Reservation's water park and riverside campground". San Diego Reader. Archived from the original on January 30, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ a b Phelps, Bonnie (August 31, 2023). "Cool off at the Water Park!". Palomar Mountain News. Archived from the original on January 30, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ a b "San Diego, CA (Abandoned Waterpark)". Follow Me Into The Wild. August 25, 2021. Archived from the original on January 30, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ Gorman, Tom (July 7, 1986). "Water Park Business Booming : La Jolla Indians Cash In With a Big Splash". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ Gorman, Tom (June 30, 1985). "$1.2-Million Water Park : Indians Hope Venture Makes Financial Splash". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on January 30, 2024. Retrieved January 30, 2024.