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Kiwanis Recreation Center and Wave Pool

3.9
·106 reviews·Tempe, United States

A vibrant community park featuring a thrilling wave pool and hosting popular free events like outdoor movies and seasonal festivals.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Friday evenings in May & October

Free movies under the stars!

CrowdMedium
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Kiwanis Recreation Center and Wave Pool

Best Time

Friday evenings in May & October

Free movies under the stars!

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A vibrant community park featuring a thrilling wave pool and hosting popular free events like outdoor movies and seasonal festivals.

3.9
(106 reviews)

"Great time for the price, but be aware of the waves and lifeguard attentiveness!"

Vertical photo
TIP

🌊 Rent a Float Tube

Strong waves can be intense. Renting a float tube for $5 is highly recommended for safety and enjoyment.

🎟️ Check Event Schedules

Free 'Movies in the Park' and special events like the Water Lantern Festival happen seasonally.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

3.9 · 106 reviews

Type

Swimming Pool

♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Wave Pool Thrills

Wave Pool Thrills

Wave Pool Area

Experience exhilarating waves that can be surprisingly strong. Rent a float tube for extra fun and safety!

Movies in the Park

Movies in the Park

North Soccer Field

Enjoy free outdoor movie nights under the stars during select spring and fall evenings. Bring blankets and snacks!

Water Lantern Festival

Water Lantern Festival

Kiwanis Park

Witness a magical display of thousands of lanterns floating on the water during this special autumn event.

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Planning Your Visit

Wave Pool Safety First

The wave pool can have strong currents; always use provided life jackets or rent a float tube for added safety, especially for children. Lifeguard attentiveness is crucial, so stay vigilant and report any concerns.

Event Check & Water Quality

Before visiting, check for special events like 'Movies in the Park' or seasonal festivals. Be aware that water quality issues can sometimes lead to unexpected closures, so confirm operational status.

Best Times

When
Friday evenings in May & October
Why
Free movies under the stars!
Crowd
Medium
When
November 1-3
Why
Magical Water Lantern Festival
Crowd
High
When
Weekdays, early afternoon
Why
Fewer crowds, calmer waves
Crowd
Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Coming to Kiwanis Park on September 13 & 14 is the Phoenix Food Fair: The Moon Festival Edition! 🌙🥮🥢✨🏮 This luminous celebration will be brimming with food, culture, and unforgettable experiences that will immerse you in the rich traditions and vibrant cultures of Asia. At this event, you can expect a water lantern release where you'll be able to witness beautiful, illuminated lanterns floating ac...
@tempetourism
32.9K likes • 358.3K views

🌊 Rent a Float Tube

Strong waves can be intense. Renting a float tube for $5 is highly recommended for safety and enjoyment. Reddit

🎟️ Check Event Schedules

Free 'Movies in the Park' and special events like the Water Lantern Festival happen seasonally. TikTok+1

The Water Lantern Festival is returning to Kiwanis Park in Tempe, Arizona on November 1-3, 2024. ✨🕯️ Experience the magic of thousands of lanterns, soft lights reflecting upon the water, and a night filled with beautiful memories. On the lanterns that you'll get with your ticket, you can write down your hopes, dreams, or a letter to a loved one, then send it off onto the water. This event is expec...
@tempetourism
19.4K likes • 142.9K views
What are your spooky season plans? Join us for the Monster Splash Bash at Kiwanis Recreation Center. Enjoy a haunted house, waves, carnival games, inflatable activities, face painting and more! 📅 Friday, Oct. 17 🕠 Ticket sales begin at 5:30 p.m. 🎉 Activities: 6–7 p.m. 🌊 Wave pool fun: 7–9 p.m. 🍔 The Snack Shack will be open with food & drinks available for purchase. 🎟️ Admission: Ages 2–12: $9 ...
tempeparksandrec
39 likes • 1.2K views

🛟 Utilize Free Life Jackets

Life jackets are available for kids, offering peace of mind for parents. Reddit

💧 Confirm Water Quality

Occasionally, the wave pool may close due to water quality issues. It's wise to confirm operational status. Reddit

Back for its fall event series, Movies in the Park is the perfect (FREE) way to spend a Friday evening in October! 🎬🍂 Movies begin at dusk — usually around 6pm — at the north soccer field of Kiwanis Park on Baseline and Ash Ave. Be sure to bring a blanket or chairs and snacks or a picnic dinner. If you come early to secure a prime viewing spot, there will be pre-movie entertainment and activities ...
@tempetourism
13.6K likes • 111.7K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🌊 Rent a Float Tube

Strong waves can be intense. Renting a float tube for $5 is highly recommended for safety and enjoyment. Reddit

🎟️ Check Event Schedules

Free 'Movies in the Park' and special events like the Water Lantern Festival happen seasonally. TikTok+1

🛟 Utilize Free Life Jackets

Life jackets are available for kids, offering peace of mind for parents. Reddit

💧 Confirm Water Quality

Occasionally, the wave pool may close due to water quality issues. It's wise to confirm operational status. Reddit

💰 Value for Admission

Admission prices are very reasonable, making it a budget-friendly family outing. Reddit

What Travellers Say

3.9
(106 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors generally find Kiwanis Recreation Center and Wave Pool to be a fun and affordable outing, especially for families. The wave pool offers exciting waves, and the park hosts enjoyable seasonal events like free movies. However, some guests have raised concerns about lifeguard attentiveness and the strength of the waves, recommending extra safety precautions.

"Loved it! my kids loved it, snack bar was good food! Everyone was friendly. Only negative thing to be said was the teenage boy life guards were goofing around and I saw a small girl getting tossed around by the waves in the deep end and I had to go and bring her back to the shallow area. I also cannot swim too well. So it was quite scary for me but I wasn’t going to leave her out there. They didn’t not see her because they were too busy messing around with each other. I think there sound be management monitoring teens lifesavers at all times."

Michelle Nunez

"My family had a good time overall, but beware of the waves! They are very strong and easily pull you under no matter how good of a swimmer you are. I almost drowned as the waves were going, and none of the lifeguards did anything to help. I was desperately reaching for my tube that was floating away. The lifeguards are young, I don't know if they don't scan as they should be doing, or if they saw me but assumed I would be fine just because I'm an adult. I do know how to swim, but in these waves I can't swim well. I do like that they have life jackets for the kids to wear for free, it really gave me some peace of mind with my child that was stubborn to use a float tube. I highly suggest that anyone in the wave pool rent a float tube for $5. Do not let your kids swim without a life jacket or at least a tube. FYI if kids use the water slide, they can not wear the life jacket on the slide. I was also told by a lifeguard that the weight limit is 250lbs to use the slide. He mentioned this to me as I was ready to go down the slide after my child went. I was offended by his comment because I am nowhere near 250 or even over that weight limit. Overall this was a good time for the price, but I feel the lifeguards could use some extra training & also learn how to appropriately speak to guests without being offensive."

Vee

"I am highly unsatisfied on how Kiwanis wave pool. They closed down the pool almost till 2pm because water quality was bad and we just showed up and my daughter was in tears when we she heard the news. But that is not the worst part. They didn't want to give me or anyone who paid back their refund or even a voucher to go again for free next time. Like I'm furious about how they handle the situation and also I'm not the only either. I paid$22 and I can only imagine the people with bigger parties. Kiwanis wave pool staff shame on you!"

Adrian Jacobo

What People Like

Affordable admission prices
Exciting wave pool
Free movie events

What People Dislike

Strong wave intensity
Lifeguard attentiveness
Refund policy issues

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Kiwanis Park is located at Baseline Rd and Ash Ave in Tempe, Arizona. It's accessible by car, with parking available. Public transportation options may also serve the area, check local transit schedules for routes and times.

Yes, ample parking is typically available at Kiwanis Park for visitors. Arrive early during popular event times to secure a good spot.

While the Snack Shack is available for purchases, bringing your own snacks or a picnic dinner is often allowed, especially for events like 'Movies in the Park'. Check specific event rules.

Operating hours can vary, especially for the wave pool and specific events. It's best to check the official Kiwanis Recreation Center website or their social media for the most up-to-date hours of operation.

Kiwanis Park generally offers accessible pathways, making it suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. Specific areas like the wave pool deck will have accessible entry points.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Admission prices are generally considered affordable. Specific costs can vary, so it's recommended to check the official website for current pricing. Reddit

For regular wave pool access, tickets are usually purchased on-site. However, for special ticketed events like the Water Lantern Festival, advance purchase is often required. TikTok

Information on discounts is not widely publicized, but it's always worth inquiring at the ticket counter or checking their official channels for any special offers.

Refunds or vouchers may not be automatically provided if the pool closes due to water quality issues. Some visitors have expressed dissatisfaction with this policy. Reddit

In cases of closure, it's unclear if vouchers are consistently offered. It's best to speak directly with management at the time of closure to inquire about options. Reddit

🎫 🏊 Onsite Experience

The waves can be quite strong and may pull swimmers under, even if they know how to swim. Using a float tube or life jacket is highly recommended. Reddit

Yes, lifeguards are present. However, some visitors have noted that younger lifeguards can sometimes be distracted. It's important to remain aware of your surroundings. Reddit+1

These are free events held on Friday evenings in October and May. Movies start at dusk on the north soccer field. Bring blankets and chairs for a cozy experience. TikTok+2

While there's a shallow area, the strong waves can be challenging for very young children. Free life jackets and float tubes are available to help ensure their safety. Reddit

Kiwanis Park hosts various events, including 'Movies in the Park', the Water Lantern Festival, and seasonal celebrations like the 'Monster Splash Bash'. TikTokInstagram

🍽️ 🍔 Food & Dining

Yes, the Snack Shack offers food and drinks for purchase. However, some reviews suggest the quality could be improved. Reddit

Typical concession-style food items are usually available, such as snacks, drinks, and possibly light meals. Specifics may vary.

Bringing your own food and picnic dinners is generally permitted, especially for events like 'Movies in the Park'. This can be a good option if you have specific dietary needs or want to save money.

Being located in Tempe, there are numerous restaurants and dining options within a short driving distance of Kiwanis Park, catering to various tastes and budgets.

Typically, alcohol is not permitted in public parks like Kiwanis Park. It's always best to check the park's specific regulations regarding outside beverages.

📸 📸 Photography

Capture dynamic shots of the wave pool action, especially during peak wave times. The 'Movies in the Park' events offer a charming ambiance for evening photography. TikTok

Yes, the Water Lantern Festival provides a visually stunning backdrop for photography with thousands of illuminated lanterns. TikTok

Generally, personal photography is allowed. However, professional photography or videography may require permits. Always be respectful of other visitors' privacy.

Late afternoon or early evening can offer softer lighting. However, the energy of the wave pool is often best captured during its operational hours, regardless of the time.

Beyond the wave pool, the park grounds offer green spaces and trees that can provide a pleasant contrast for photos, especially during events like 'Movies in the Park'.

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