Cory Johnson turned his Cromwell backyard into a 60,000‑gallon water park that he rents for $140 an hour. The park sits on the east side of Lake Wawasee and features a heated salt‑water lagoon, a zip line, a custom slide, and real palm trunks. On average, the Johnsons receive five to six bookings daily through Swimply, the peer‑to‑peer booking platform that awarded the park the 2026 Choice Award for its distinctive design.
Johnson’s dream began when he learned that a standard home pool would take 18 months to install. Instead of waiting, he sketched a plan on a napkin and commissioned Amish brothers to build the walls himself. Construction spanned two years, including a six‑month pause, and both the indoor and outdoor pools were completed in September 2023.
The 60,000 gallons of heated salt water stay between 85 and 87°F year‑round, maintained by two pumps, two salt generators and oversized filters. Johnson is eyeing a UV‑ozone system to reduce chlorine. The indoor lagoon features a perforated pipe that rains water from 20 to 30 feet above the surface, while a waterfall pours over giant rocks behind the pool.
Mandy Johnson, who watched the water line fill each morning, calls the slide a “beach vacation oasis.” Guests often remark that the experience feels real only when they step onto the property; one reviewer wrote that it was “the best birthday ever” for her daughter, while another praised the space as “the best party spot.”
The Johnsons decorate the pool for winter with a 14‑foot Christmas tree, a touch that delights children who see the tree and the water together. He says he will add a steam cave and a hot spring in the coming years, keeping the “go big or go home” mantra alive. The park will remain open year‑round, with bookings expected to grow as the venue gains popularity.