Ella Martinez dives into her fourth season at Deep River Waterpark as guest services lead

At Deep River Waterpark, the facility centers its operations around providing a safe, clean, and affordable experience that is family-oriented. Having dedicated team members helps Deep River Waterpark meet this objective; having team members who grew up in Lake County and have cared deeply about the waterpark since their early years helps take this experience to another level.

Growing up in Hobart, Ella Martinez has spent roughly two decades attending the waterpark. At first, she walked through the gates as a visitor. Today, she gets to walk into a summer dream job.

“It’s a really nice summer job to have,” Martinez said. “I always thought it was fun coming here with my family, going on the rides, checking out the lazy river, and hanging out in the wave pool. I started working here when I was still in high school, so it’s been nice to keep up every summer.”

In 2023, Martinez started out as a regular guest services employee. This includes tasks such as checking bags and dealing with tickets. In her second year, she was elevated to be a lead. Today, she is a guest services lead in her fourth season at Deep River Waterpark.

Between the team members who have worked alongside her to the happy visitors that walk through the welcome gate, Martinez believes that the people make the place.

“So many people here just have such a positive energy. People come here, and they’re ready to work. It motivates me to do better myself,” Martinez said. “Everyone is so supportive. If one of us is having a bad day, someone else is always there to help. Or if one of us needs to take a break or running a call, we’re here to help each other out. It’s truly a community here.”

Martinez has built some of her best friendships as an employee at Deep River Waterpark. With the opportunity to spend days in the sun, talk to park visitors, and have fun with her friends from work, Martinez looks forward to every day.

In her four years of working at the waterpark, Martinez has seen firsthand how the waterpark has evolved over time.

“We continue to grow more and more by the years,” Martinez said. “This year, we have birthday party options, where people can rent out a specific area with cupcakes, pizza, and drinks catered to them. We’ve always had Dippin’ Dots in the front of the park, but we’re doing more of that throughout the park. We opened up Flavor Point last year, which has been a big hit with ice cream and donuts.”

One major milestone that Martinez was a part of was the 30th anniversary celebration at Deep River Waterpark in the summer of 2025. She appreciates being able to contribute to major events that have drawn national attention.

“It’s heartwarming to see how many families we’ve had come from all over the place. We have people from Illinois, South Bend, Southern Indiana – it’s not just local anymore. It’s everyone,” Martinez said.

When she was younger, Martinez could not have envisioned herself working at Deep River Waterpark. As she continues her fourth summer as a team member, her appreciation for the waterpark has reached new heights.

“Coming here as a kid being excited to go to the waterpark and now being able to welcome those guests in – it’s a full circle moment for me,” Martinez said. “It’s nice to give these families an amazing time, because I’ve had great times here as a visitor. I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish next to continue making this a special place to spend the summer.”

For more information on Deep River Waterpark, you can visit deepriverwaterpark.com.