Kozy Rest to host grand opening of water park
A Marion Township water park is hosting a grand opening at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 1, following a soft opening on Memorial Day weekend and a year’s worth of renovations.
A new pool and splash zone — featuring different waterslides and interactive water features — are among the additions that will be unveiled at the ribbon-cutting ceremony at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Kozy Rest.
The park’s new additions include a playground, mini golf course, basketball and pickleball courts, and an upgraded jumping pillow, which is an inflatable, grounded trampoline, said general manager Tayler Eusebio of Harrisville.
“Where we’re located is a little rural,” Eusebio said. “There’s not a ton to do in the locality, and we wanted to give guests a chance to check into the campground and not have to leave. Family vacations can take place all in one area, and guests get the most value out of their stay while they’re here.”
Renovations began in April 2023, Eusebio said. Once the grounds closed for the season in November, the work required an “all hands on deck” approach, she said.
Eusebio said the park is still in the process of adding 60 new cabins and close to 100 new RV sites in hopes of increasing occupancy. The park is continually making improvements, she said.
In the meantime, leaders in Harrisville borough and Marion, Mercer and Pine townships are finalizing agreements to allow the park to connect to their sewer system, which ends up in Grove City.
At the moment, the cabin and RV additions are contingent on the park’s sewer expansion project, which rests in the hands of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection for approval.
The park will continue to use its own septic system until the sewage expansion is approved, Eusebio said. Park co-owner Gary Quigley said he hopes DEP approval will come in the next month or two, marking the end of a three-year process.
Connecting to public sewage will cost the park “north of $1 million,” he estimated, and would be completed at no cost to any of the municipalities.
“It’s a better option for the community any time you can connect to the city sewer rather than your own,” Quigley said. “It’s better for the environment, which is what we’re aiming to be.”
“We’re thrilled to have them,” Jason McBride, Marion Township supervisor chairman, said about the park. “They have put quite an investment into our town that brings revenue to small businesses.”
