FRUIT HEIGHTS -- A 30-by-70 foot swimming pool will be the newest attraction at Cherry Hill this spring, and it's hoped that it will help diffuse some of the crowds at the popular resort, located about a mile north of Lagoon, off U.S. 89.
Cherry Hill President Bruce Lloyd said the pool is under construction and will open in mid-June. "It will help visitors spread out more," Lloyd said, explaining that the resort has some 150,000 visitors a year.The pool is situated next to Pirate's Cove, a themed water attraction, and the nearby grassy area will double in size to allow plenty of sunbathing space. The pool will vary in depth from 2 1/2 to 5 1/2 feet deep and is the same size as the old-style Olympic pools.
Cherry Hill is perhaps most famous for its full-service campground, featuring 242 camping spaces and plenty of shade. Started in 1967 by Grant and Mary Lloyd, the Cherry Hill is part of a fruit farm operated by the Lloyd family since 1924. Today, sons Bruce and Keith operate the business, which is family-oriented and features something for all ages.
The campground facilities are open April 1-Nov. 1, but campers with motor homes can use the campground year-round, though restrooms and other facilities are closed in the winter.
The resort also has a miniature golf course; batting cages; two game rooms; a Hamster Haven Playport for young children; pavilions; the Pie Pantry restaurant, which specializes in homemade pies; the Cataract Canyon River Run; and water slides. Currently, the miniature golf is open from 3:30-9 p.m. weekdays, to cater to the after-school crowd. It is also open Saturdays.
The water attractions open Memorial Day weekend and close on Labor Day.
Lloyd said Cherry Hill employs 120 people each summer, and most are teenagers. He admits the resort operates in the shadow of Lagoon, but that has actually been a pleasant situation. He said that when Lagoon opened its own water park and campground, both those additions somehow attracted more visitors to Cherry Hill, too.
"We complement each other," he said.
Bruce Lloyd says that in the early days, most of Cherry Hill's patrons were from out of state, but that's not the case any more. He estimates half of the resort's visitors are from Utah. It also attracts a fair number of visitors from California, Idaho and overseas.
The campground alone has about 80,000 guests a year.
"It's a great place to camp," Lloyd said, explaining that the solitude and quiet is really quite amazing, considering the proximity to busy U.S. 89. The basic camping fee for two people is $19 a night, plus tax.
Lloyd said Cherry Hill maintains one campers-only swimming pool, and season passes to the other attractions are not valid on Saturdays, to prevent overuse on the resort's busiest day. He recommends those wanting to avoid the big summer crowds visit Cherry Hill on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.
The Pirate's Cove features a wading pool that's only about 15 inches deep and is a great place for young children to cool off. The Cataract Canyon River Run, popular with teenagers, features foam padding on the walls -- a rarity among such attractions -- to make it more safe.
Cherry Hill also has an "Aero Ball" trampoline game, and its pavilions are able to accommodate groups of 50 to 500.
Lloyd said he's also working with the Salt Lake Olympic Committee to have some 100 campground spaces open -- with full camping facilities -- during the 2002 Winter Games.
Water park passes sell for $44.95, plus tax. Cherry Hill sells a limited number of the passes, to prevent overcrowding.
Day-use water passes cost $12, miniature golf is $4.50-$5 a person; Aero Ball is $3 for 15 minutes; Hamster Haven is $3; and the fee for the batting cages is $1.50 for 20 pitches. Combo day passes for all features are also available. Parking is free.
Construction of a new U.S. 89 interchange east of Cherry Hill is continuing, but all access to the resort remains open.
For more information, call 451-5379 or 1-888-446-2267 or visit the Cherry Hill Web site at www.cherry-hill.com.
You can reach Lynn Arave by e-mail at lynn@desnews.com