Willow Springs was a water park located in Little Rock, Arkansas. It closed for swimming in July 2013 after a second reported rare parasitic infection was traced to its waters.The park subsequently re-opened for fishing but not swimming. It closed permanently in August 2015.History & descriptionIt was built in 1928. Willow Springs is a sandy bottom spring and well fed lake, similar to Maywood Beach in Mississippi. The water was chemically treated, chlorinated, pH balanced, and clear. Unlike most water parks, visitors could bring their own food and drinks into the park, though a restaurant called Upper Deck Café was located on site.SeasonWillow Springs was open from May through September each year.Parasitic infections and closingOn July 26, 2013, the owner of the park shut it down indefinitely after a swimmer was diagnosed with a rare case of the parasitic infection Primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, 3 years after another swimmer at the park died from the same illness. The Arkansas Department of Health determined that the park may have been at higher risk because the water is shallow and heats up faster. The owner had hoped to re-open the park if it would have been financially feasible to cover the bottom with concrete, since the parasite tends to live in the soil at the bottom of warm fresh water.AttractionsFamily Atmosphere400 ft WaterslideLarge Kiddie Pool and Playground AreaLifeguards on DutyTwo Log Roll and Water TrampolinesLifejackets AvailableCovered Picnic Tables and GrillsGroup pricing availableWater basketball, Volleyball, and TetherballSwimming Lessons AvailableHorseshoe PitsBasketball and Soccer areas
