Fluidmesh Solutions Make a Splash at Magic Waters Waterpark

  • Sep 16, 2014

Got WiFi? That's a question Magic Waters WaterPark in Cherry Valley, IL asked itself in response to growing consumer demand for public WiFi accessibility. The award-winning attraction, which is managed by the Rockford Park District, is always a crowd pleasing destination so its desire to provide patrons with free WiFi service was a perfect add-on to the park.Fluidmesh Solutions Make a Splash at Magic Waters Waterpark

James Shaw, systems administrator/communications specialist for Rockford Park District's IT division, was tasked with leading the project. The objective, Shaw explained, was to create an additional network throughout the park as a back-up to their aging fiber network. The installation got underway after the waterpark closed for the 2013 season. The mesh network was completed in the Fall of 2013, and was put into operation during the Summer 2014 season.

Shaw selected Fluidmesh for this install for a variety of reasons.

"We needed a redundant network that could grow and adjust to the constant changes within the waterpark," he said. "And, the mesh network is also used to provide wireless access throughout using Aerohive Access Points at each mesh hop point."

The Configuration of the System

The network encompasses Fluidmesh1100 radios arranged in a ring formation throughout the water park with eight hop points. Each hop point also has an Aerohive AP connected only to the mesh network. Two Fluidmesh Access Points are configured as mesh-ends and both are located at the site’s main Cisco switch.

Another Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) was recently added to the mesh to provide wireless bridges to pump room chemical monitors, as well as to enable network access to maintenance buildings that were not previously hard-wired with networking. This addition makes a total of six VLAN's on the mesh: Fluidmesh management, AH management, Mobile WiFi, Client WiFi, Guest WiFi, and Bridging WiFi.

"Fluidmesh was very pleased to partner with the Rockford Park District on this project to provide free Wi-Fi service to Magic Waters' customers throughout the park," noted Cosimo Malesci, Fluidmesh co-founder and VP of sales & marketing. "Our Fluidmesh radios were used to extend the coverage throughout the facility while distributing access points at specific locations inside the park. The waterpark eventually plans on utilizing the same Fluidmesh backbone for ticketing and other services."

“Magic Waters Waterpark has 10 different attractions, and each has its own 'thrill factor,' so our customers can create their own experience," stated Zack McIntyre, director of Magic Waters & Aquatics. "We offer high value at a safe, clean, and affordable waterpark.”

Shaw added, "There are always expansion plans and changes to the waterpark, and now we have a network to adapt to those changes."

Featured

  • Security Industry Association Announces the 2026 Security Megatrends

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has identified and forecasted the 2026 Security Megatrends, which form the basis of SIA’s signature annual Security Megatrends report defining the top 10 factors influencing both near- and long-term change in the global security industry. Read Now

  • The Future of Access Control: Cloud-Based Solutions for Safer Workplaces

    Access controls have revolutionized the way we protect our people, assets and operations. Gone are the days of cumbersome keychains and the security liabilities they introduced, but it’s a mistake to think that their evolution has reached its peak. Read Now

  • A Look at AI

    Large language models (LLMs) have taken the world by storm. Within months of OpenAI launching its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, it amassed more than 100 million users, making it the fastest-growing consumer application in history. Read Now

  • First, Do No Harm: Responsibly Applying Artificial Intelligence

    It was 2022 when early LLMs (Large Language Models) brought the term “AI” into mainstream public consciousness and since then, we’ve seen security corporations and integrators attempt to develop their solutions and sales pitches around the biggest tech boom of the 21st century. However, not all “artificial intelligence” is equally suitable for security applications, and it’s essential for end users to remain vigilant in understanding how their solutions are utilizing AI. Read Now

  • Improve Incident Response With Intelligent Cloud Video Surveillance

    Video surveillance is a vital part of business security, helping institutions protect against everyday threats for increased employee, customer, and student safety. However, many outdated surveillance solutions lack the ability to offer immediate insights into critical incidents. This slows down investigations and limits how effectively teams can respond to situations, creating greater risks for the organization. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.