The last thing on anyone’s mind Thursday was taking a dip in the water at Centennial Beach. It was just too cold.
The popular swimming hole was closed Thursday because the temperature registered below the 65 degrees, the threshold the Naperville Park District uses to determine if it should to open or not.
In fact, the recording station on the other side of the DuPage River at Naperville Central High School had registered just 64 degrees by 3:30 p.m.
It’s been a brutal spring for the Naperville Park District.
Parks spokeswoman Sameera Luthman said through June 10, the number of visitors has been down about 44% compared to the district’s prior three-year average.
Last year was quite a different story.
Fierce heat a year ago had people flocking to Centennial Beach for relief, which resulted in the park reaching capacity several times by mid-June.
The parks staff remains hopeful the weather will change by the time summer arrives next week.
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“It is still early in the season, however, and as long as we get a nice stretch of good weather, visits will increase,” Luthman said.
Another favorite outdoor sport, golf, started out a bit soggy start because of all the rain.
As a result, revenues so far this year are down 10% at the district’s two courses, Springbrook on 83rd Street and Naperbrook on 111th Street/Hassert Boulevard, Luthman said. The majority of the shortfall occurred in May when Naperville received measurable rain 22 out of 31 days.
There is a silver lining though. “For June thus far, rounds and revenue is up,” she said.
The difference between the beach weather and golf weather is that folks will golf when it is cool and overcast, Luthman said.
“It’s great golf weather, however that’s not good beach weather,” she said.
“When the weather cooperates – sunshine and some decent temps – people are flocking to all of our outdoor facilities,” she said.