Bunker Beach

In 1986, Anoka County announced several additions to its Bunker Hills Park, including a $1 million wave pool to be completed in 1988. It would be the first wave pool in Minnesota.^[2] By its completion, the project cost $1.4 million ($3.72 million in 2024); officials hoped that the wave pool would prove to be a profitable venture, unlike traditional rectangular pools.^[3] The 25,000 square foot (2,300 m²) pool opened on June 12, 1988, and for its first several weeks sold out at 800 admissions each day.^[4] In its first season 101,362 people visited the pool, with ticket and concession revenue totaling $216,637 and $137,029, respectively.^[5] Prior to the 1989 season, a sand volleyball court, picnic shelters, and an additional concession stand were added to the waterpark.^[5]

Prior to the 2003 season the park was expanded beyond the wave pool with a gradual-entry pool, a sand play area, and two water slides.^[6][7]

Attendance in the 2008 season was 95,605. A $3.5 million ($5.13 million in 2024) renovation began place at the end of the 2009 season, adding a 900 foot (270 m) lazy river, two tube water slides, a leisure pool, and an activity pool with a basketball hoop and climbing wall. Additional concession stands and a lifeguard lounge were also added.^[6] Attendance in the 2009 season was 69,680 visitors.^[8][9]

After the waterpark closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, officials began a $6.5 million ($7.54 million in 2024) rebuild of the 33-year-old wave pool, which had become more difficult to maintain. The new pool features heated water and a 3,000-square-foot, child-friendly area.^[1] A splash pad was added in 2023, replacing a sandbox and playground equipment.^[10]

Bunker Beach is Minnesota's largest water park, spread across ten acres.^[11][1] Bunker Beach has a number of attractions for visitors. The primary attraction of the park is a wave pool capable of holding 1,000 swimmers.^[1] It also has a zero-entry lagoon and adventure pool, lazy river, climbing walls, waterslides, and pool basketball courts.^[11] Park capacity is 2,500.^[1]