“Our goal is to not only do something that didn’t require any major wakeboarding skills that would be something that would support our summer camps and our birthday parties and things like that,” said Jones, who owns two similar attractions in Colorado.
Located at 201 Joe Nuxhall Way, Wake Nation offers waterskiing and wakeboarding via a boat-free cable pulley system, plus a concession and viewing area. This year’s update was a “gigantic” investment, one that will be followed in 2021 by a new super slide, Jones said.
“That’ll be the talk of the town next year. It’s incredible,” he said.
The recent investments fit with what Jones been doing since purchasing Wake Nation in 2017, pouring “well over seven figures” into the attraction to improve and expand upon various aspects of the park, he said.
“I just looked at it as a financial opportunity,” Jones said. “It really didn’t have anywhere to go but up.”
Wake Nation Cincinnati employs between 15 and 20 people, depending on the season, with about five of them employed there on a full-time basis year-round, he said.
“In the winter time, the off season, is when we do a lot of our improvements. We’ll fix things and we’ll repair things, build new things,” Jones said.
Individual pricing for admission varies and group pricing and season passes are available. “Hidden” prices are often revealed on Wake Nation’s newsletter and on its social media channels. No reservation is needed for the attraction, which is located in Joyce Park and is pet-friendly.
Hours are noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday. Parking is free as is admission for spectators/non-participants. The 2020 season lasts until Sept. 20.
Wake Nation’s improvements over the last few years have continued to make it a top attraction in Butler County, according to Mark Hecquet, president and CEO of the Butler County Visitors Bureau.
This year’s expansion of the Aqua Park has “certainly” increased the appeal for visitors looking to cool off, but who might not be interested in riding the main cable, Hecquet said.
“Wake Nation is an important piece of the Butler County attraction mix because it offers experiences that you can’t find anywhere else nearby,” he said. “With the only cable-wake park in the Midwest and now the expanded Aqua park, Wake Nation will continue to draw adventure seekers from hours away, but also provide a convenient and fun recreation option for locals as well.”
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