Over the course of a summer, Centennial Beach charms more than 130,000 visitors from Memorial Day through Labor Day, who revel in the unique and park-like nature of this facility. However, few are aware of the rich history of the Beach. In fact, this year, Centennial Beach is celebrating 87 years as an integral part of the Naperville community.
Naperville was a century old in 1931 when the former limestone quarry property was purchased for $16,500 as part of the city’s centennial celebration. Thirty-three local citizens underwrote the cost of the land to purchase the 45-acre site in downtown Naperville near the west branch of the DuPage River. This was in spite of the fact that the Great Depression was having an unprecedented impact on the economy. On June 6, 1931, the property was dedicated and development of the Beach as a swimming facility began in 1932.
In 1934, the limestone bathhouse was completed and the first Beach Aquathon – a water show – was hosted to honor its completion. In later years, the original double-quarry was divided and one part of the quarry remained the swimming facility, while another portion was opened in the 1980s as the Paddleboat Quarry in celebration of the Naperville Riverwalk’s completion and the Naperville community’s 150th birthday celebration.
In recent years, Centennial Beach has undergone improvements including renovations to its bathhouse, the addition of Centennial Grill and other amenities.
Centennial Beach is a great place to spend all day with the whole family. Picnic under the trees, splash in the water, play in the sand, jump into a game of sand volleyball, play a game of bags and much more. There’s something for everyone at Centennial Beach!
Daily passes are available for purchase as are season-long memberships. Best of all, Beach memberships come with three special benefits:
- Coupon book with great local offers
- 10% discount at Centennial Grill inside Centennial Beach
- Invitation to a members-only event near the end of the season
For more information on this unique and historic facility, visit www.centennialbeach.org.