CHESAPEAKE BEACH, Md. – Few people showed up for opening day at the Chesapeake Beach Water Park as controversy over extreme price hikes continues.
For Chesapeake Beach residents, a season pass is currently $135. For Calvert County residents – that price is three times higher at $400 per person. For those out of county, the cost goes up to $600, while a one-day pass for a Calvert County resident on a weekend is $90.
Water Park officials posted the following on their website: “For the 2023 season, the Park faces unavoidable and substantial price increases due to our current economic environment. Costs include maintaining the aging infrastructure of the Park, increased utility costs and increased chemical costs.” They added that the Park is owned by the residents of the Town of Chesapeake Beach. For this reason, user fees must cover Park costs.
On Saturday, Prince Frederick resident Rochelle Weems brought her god kids to the water park with 200 dollars cash in hand, thinking that would be more than enough for a fun day at the park.
Weems was furious when she went to buy tickets. She told The BayNet, “90 dollars per person? That is outrageous. Everybody in Calvert County should get the same price. 22 dollars.”
Many people in Chesapeake Beach and surrounding areas took to social media with their frustration over the price increase as well.
One resident wrote, “When town residents, who pay taxes to Chesapeake Beach proper, can’t even afford to use their own town resources. How sad. You aren’t just keeping out “outsiders” but you’ve priced out your own community.”
Josey Bozzo wrote, “I personally prefer it less crowded but that’s not how economics works for a town that depends on tourism. And yes, whether the town council likes it or not this town needs tourism for its businesses to survive.”
According to an agenda from a recent town hall meeting, the town received a $6 million grant and is planning to allocate $1 million for water park repairs. It shows the annual operating cost for the water park would consume a huge share of property tax revenue. With these recent price increases, many are wondering if the water park is sustainable without these funds or non-town attendance.
Still, many people in the area, including North Beach, have been very vocal about the changes. Some even placed signs in Chesapeake Beach, comparing Chesapeake Beach Water Park prices to King’s Dominion, Six Flags and even Disney World.
The BayNet reached out to the Water Park for comment but did not get a response.
Contact our news desk at news@thebaynet.com
Sounds like Breton Bay pool pricing….
Sounds like some rich guy rules. Anything so that the rich get richer. Never looking out for the regular folks.
Knock the eyesore down
Good idea.
Nothing but greedy.
It’s the same water park since 1997 when it opened, nothing has changed except the price of the tickets!
Yes
$90, for the water park is insane, you might as well go to Six Flags
Just go to cove point water park.
Exactly, it’s bigger and it’s wayyyy cheaper
Makes you wonder if Cartman took over the water park.
Hahaha!!
That price is ridiculous. I will save my money and go elsewhere. People in the county shouldn’t be penalized. I was looking forward to taking my grandkids and family when they came to visit me. What are you thinking?
Might as well drain it, because with those prices no one is going there. Hell you can go to Six Flags or Kings Dominion for those prices.
That water park is trashy and they are trying to charge $90/day?! LOL! They can have it
Racism will cost you, it’s expensive. It looks like Mayor Pat is keeping more than “Those people” out.
Yep. It started with the fishing pier which is paid for with Md taxpayers dollars. Now they doing the same bs with those park. Boycott them don’t give them any business and let the trifling town die or go bankrupt unless they do better and change things how it should be.
Exactly what does race have to do with this, and why must you bring race into the picture?
It has everything to do with it…..do you live under a rock? The mayor made racial comments at a public meeting in March, and is still in office
I will never go back. If the town can’t afford, then close it Price gauging at its worst!!
It’s not only the price it is also the racist comments the mayor has also made.
Why don’t they just get rid of the waterpark, resort, etc., if they don’t want other people to visit their town? Or build some more impressive homes and make the amenities private to the residents who live there. It’s not like some ultra-exclusive community for the top 1%; get real. All you’re weeding out with those prices are people with the mental capacity to understand the value of something.
That is awful. That place is small and crowded. I guess it will be nice and empty, which means Cove Point will be soooo crowded now. I guess we aren’t visiting a water park this summer. 😕
You should of never stopped the big farmers market along with there is a totally different group of people now, people don’t feel safe. As far as the water park are you kidding ne with the price along with most calvert residents will not take their kids there because it seems to be a hangout for residents from other county’s
The signs were between 30th and 31st street in Chesapeake Beach. There were no signs in North Beach. Just for clarity.
The people running this town are out of this world. As seniors in our 70s my husband and I would go to brownies beach because the walk was manageable and we enjoyed looking for fossils we paid the price which was not. Cheap now it is closed to non residents they must have plenty of money
Brownies beach was our go to place for shark teeth and beads. Sad what it is now. Can’t even go there.
Outrageous!!!! I think the Chesapeake Beach Water Park should boycotted. As someone commented earlier, nothing has changed at the Chesapeake Beach water park everything is the same. I don’t see how they can justify this raise in prices and expect people to really pay them.
Screw it… Bulldoze it and make it a go-cart themed park, better off with those prices.
Prices of materials and chemicals have increased by 10/20? How does that equate to 300% price increases?? Just price gouging like every other business that claims supply chain increases.
How can they charge amusement park prices and not be same size and quality?
It’s sad we’re in dc I checked the prices and spend money at the boring gaming center that pays out nickels & dimes and expect me an my children to pay over $400 year right y’all not Disney world .. six flags we go
Close it ASAP !
Keep Prince Garbage county residents in Prince Garbage county .. Raise rates for non county residents to $150 a day …
Why would anyone pay any amount of money to go the that nasty joke of a waterpark? Both times I’ve been there’s been poop just on the floor in the changing rooms real phenomenal place….
Something must be done. Who cares about what people show up as long as they pay their money. Now the foolishness has started only 5-10 people are showing up. Maybe they are workers. Good they need to shut it down.
I completely agree with this article the water park is completely overpriced and the only good price is limited to some. This is what the water park deserves and hopefully they will make a change.
The season is over. Management needs to study the charges. The cost to come to your park is too costly. At least once a year I would come with my grandchildren every year. With these prices, I cannot afford and I am not the only family. Large charges, less people, you make less. Offer coupons at a 80% discount.