Bunker Beach
Bunker Beach is a water park in Coon Rapids, Minnesota, United States, within Bunker Hills Regional Park, run by the Anoka County Parks and Recreation Department. It is Minnesota's largest water park, featuring a wave pool, water slides, and other water features.
History
In 1986, Anoka County announced several additions to its Bunker Hills Park, including a $1 million wave pool to be completed in 1988. It would be the first wave pool in Minnesota. By its completion, the project cost $1.4 million ; officials hoped that the wave pool would prove to be a profitable venture, unlike traditional rectangular pools. The pool opened on June 12, 1988, and for its first several weeks sold out at 800 admissions each day. In its first season 101,362 people visited the pool, with ticket and concession revenue totaling $216,637 and $137,029, respectively. Prior to the 1989 season, a sand volleyball court, picnic shelters, and an additional concession stand were added to the waterpark.Prior to the 2003 season the park was expanded beyond the wave pool with a gradual-entry pool, a sand play area, and two water slides.
Attendance in the 2008 season was 95,605. A $3.5 million renovation began place at the end of the 2009 season, adding a lazy river, two tube water slides, a leisure pool, and an activity pool with a basketball hoop and climbing wall. Additional concession stands and a lifeguard lounge were also added. Attendance in the 2009 season was 69,680 visitors.
After the waterpark closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, officials began a $6.5 million rebuild of the 33-year-old wave pool, which had become more difficult to maintain. The new pool features heated water and a 3,000-square-foot, child-friendly area. A splash pad was added in 2023, replacing a sandbox and playground equipment.