Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum - Wings and Waves Waterpark

Wings and Waves Waterpark

Evergreen Wings & Waves Waterpark opened June 6, 2011. The 71,350-square-foot (6,629 m2) waterpark, Oregon's largest, features 10 slides and a 91,703-gallon wave pool, and ties in to the educational focus of the Evergreen Museum Campus with its H2O Children's Science Center.

The waterpark's learning activities place an emphasis on fun. The second-floor children's science center has exhibits about the importance of water in everyday life. One feature shows how water falls from the sky as snow on Mount Hood, melts and flows to the ocean, then returns to the mountain, demonstrating the three phases of water's physical state as found here on earth. Other features include Smokey Bear overseeing a helicopter fighting a wildfire, a wave tank that can be used to demonstrate tides and tsunamis, and a lunar capsule play structure with an astronaut training display. Replicas of fighter jets and the space shuttle are also part of the water play features.

The main attractions are the water slides and wave pool. Four big slides begin inside a retired Boeing 747-100 that sits atop the roof, 62 feet (19 m) above the splash landing. The slides vary in pitch and rate of descent, with the most leisurely being the 550-foot (170 m) long translucent yellow slide, and the fastest being the 350-foot (110 m) long green slide, nicknamed "the nosedive" due to its steep descent. The wave pool water is heated to 84 degrees. Massive compressors can generate either a large wave or random smaller waves. The waterpark also has a leisure pool and spa. Non-water features include a concession area, family-style locker rooms, rooms for private parties. The water park's admission desk resembles a biplane with wing walkers. Most of the features are handicap accessible.

The waterpark operates daily, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., through summer. Hours during the school year are yet to be determined. All waterpark attractions are indoors. The building has a capacity of 1,500 and is located on the west side of the complex, just west of the building that houses the Spruce Goose. The building is similar in exterior design to the air and space museums, with its outside walls made of the same stone-lined, green-tinted glass as the other buildings, though it does have a 747 parked on its roof.

Future plans for Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum include an upscale 84-room hotel with fine-dining restaurant, with plans to break ground next year.