Kids on the Go – Troy Aquatic Center, Michigan

Yay!  I’m back.  I’m excited to write another post for the series.  Today I’m writing about a place that is new to our family this summer … but it’s already a favorite.  The Troy Family Aquatic Center in Troy, Michigan.

Come enjoy the main swimming pool with zero-depth entrance (like the beach) and lap lanes; kids spray pools with a waterfall, a water tree and a pint-size waterslide; and a 175 ft tube slide and a 177 ft body flume slide; a sand-filled area with a playscape and toys; sand volleyball court; deck chairs and loungers; food concessions; a shaded patio; sun hill and locker rooms.

Here’s the low-down …

Address:  3425 Civic Center Drive, Troy, MI  48084

Phone:  248-524-3514

The Troy Family Aquatic Center is north of Big Beaver Rd (16 Mile Rd) between Crooks and Livernois just east of of I-75.  It’s exit 69 when on I-75.

The Center is open from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day weekend.  Hours for May 26 through June 13 are 3-7:30pm Monday-Friday and 11am-7:30pm Saturday and Sunday.  In June (after the 13th) and in August the Center is open 11am-7:30 pm all week.  In July the Center is open 11am – 8pm Monday-Thursday and 11am-7:30 pm Friday-Sunday.

Daily Admission is $8 for Troy residents and $11.50 for non-residents.  Children under 3 as of May 1 of the current year have FREE admission.

Seasonal passes are available … $61 for Troy residents and $89 for non-residents (with discounts for additional family members)

Here are the facility’s rules (quoted from this year’s brochure with my additional info in parentheses):

• Children under 10 must be directly supervised IN THE WATER by an individual 16 or older.  (So if you are taking your kids, plan to get in the water too!  I’ve seen lots of parents “try” to just watch by the side … but the lifeguards don’t let this fly … and I’m personally glad they don’t for everyone’s safety!)
• Appropriate swim wear is required.
• Swim diapers and rubber pants are required for children not yet potty trained.  These can be purchased as the cashier booth (but it’s MUCH cheaper to bring your own!)
• For safety reasons, flotation devices and toys are not allowed in the facility (with the exception of Coast Guard approved life jackets).
• To ride the body and tube slides you must be 42″ tall and a swim test may be required.  (Parents can’t ride with their children; solo riding only.  The direct supervision for kids under 10 applies to the slide area too … which is separate from the other pool areas.  This means, like for us, I have to be there when Henry … who’s over 42″ and LOVES the slide … but Honor, who’s under 42″ can’t get in the water in this area.  A another mom there helped me solve this dilemma … there is a foot wash in the slide area that makes a great splash area for the little ones that can’t enjoy the big slides yet!).
• Outside food and drinks are NOT permitted into the facility; a concession area offers food (pizza, nachos, soft pretzels, chips, & ice cream snacks) and drinks (water, soft drinks, and slushes) for sale (pretty normal prices .. some seem high, some seem low … like  $.75 for a Jr. Slush!).  An outdoor picnic area is available outside the facility (many people leave coolers in this area).  (Both areas are well-shaded, pretty clean, and have several tables.)

Even on busy days we’ve always found a place to park and a couple of deck chairs to claim.  Make sure to bring towels, sunglasses, googles (if you like to use them), flip flops or water shoes (the concrete gets super hot), a camera, and plenty of sunscreen!  Strollers are welcome!

(513)