WASHINGTON  — Big slides and new water features aim to bring kids big and small to Fairfax County’s Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole on Lake Fairfax.

The $5.5 million upgrade includes spray pads, climbable play structures, a slide tower for three body flume slides and new family changing rooms.  The effort is aimed at attracting more teenagers and improve the overall experience.

“Before, it was families with little children,” Fairfax County Park Authority spokeswoman Judy Pederson said.  “Now, families can come here for the whole day and their teenagers aren’t going to say, ‘gosh, Mom, I want to go home and play on the computer.”

More upgrades are being made for next summer, which will include individual cabanas, improved shaded seating areas, an additional play struction and an opportunity for mobile food vendors.

The Water Mine was built in 1997, replacing a simple in-ground pool at the park.  It is one of the several revenue-generating parks for Fairfax County.