ARARAT — Looking back over the past 25 years, it’s hard to remember a time when Homeplace Park wasn’t a part of the community.

On Sunday, the Key family, which owns and runs the park, took a look back at what they have accomplished and what is to come.

“We wanted to be able to keep the family farm in one piece and wanted to bring much needed recreation to this area. It used to be that if you wanted to go swimming, you went to the river or down to the creek, but that’s not safe, so we wanted to create a place where everyone could come and have a good time,” said Elwin Key at a celebration held at the park yesterday.

Key said that construction on the pool, snack bar and game room started late in the season of 1984. The first year the pool was open it had a granite dust bottom.

“We were expecting a few hundred of our neighbors to show up, but the first day we opened, we had 1,000 people to come. The next day, we had 1,300 and the third day, we had 1,200. On the fourth day, we closed. We didn’t expect such a large crowd, but they came because it was cheap. I think we have one of the prettiest cement ponds around,” Key said with a laugh.

Although the pool is still the main attraction at the park, it also boasts 175 campsites, basketball, volleyball, miniature golf, hiking trails, a video game room, playgrounds and the Old Mill pond. Key said the pool is the largest in Surry County.

“We come from rustic beginnings to be one of the nicest recreation centers in northwest North Carolina if I do say so myself,” Key said.

The Key family grew up on the land and the old homeplace, which was built in 1865, still remains on the property. Key said his father, Irvin Key, wanted them to name the park “Homeplace.”

“Homeplace has helped us stay close together,” he said. Although Elwin is the president and general manager, all of his brothers and sisters are owners.

“It’s not about me. It’s a family thing. We are all in this together,” Key said.

Jill Amos is one of the many campers who came to the ice cream social and celebration.

“Elwin is such a great personality. He loves to entertain. I’ve been coming here for 12 years. I hope to be able to bring my grandchildren one day. I appreciate all of the good they have done over the past 12 years that I’ve been coming here,” Amos said.

Lynn Rutledge and her husband, Lynn, will be celebrating their 10th year anniversary this month. The couple was married on the island on the pond at the park.

“We live in Winston and it only takes us 30 minutes to get here. We come every weekend. It’s like taking a vacation every weekend. I love it here because they are always working to improve things,” said Mrs. Rutledge.

Katie Schaack came to the park from Wytheville, Va. She said Sunday was only her second visit to the park, but she is planning to come back next season.

“It’s relaxing, like taking a vacation,” Schaack said.

Ashley Amos and friend Taylor Spann said they love to come to the park to hang out with their friends and ride on the golf carts.

“We love seeing our friends every weekend,” Amos said.

Jimmy Walker from Stokes County was also at the celebration. He said Homeplace Park is a real asset to the area.

“This is a great place. I wish we had something like this where we live. This is a great place for families and young people,” Walker said.

Key said over the past 25 years he has employed 25 to 40 kids a year.

“We’ve had a successful season. Even in light of the economy, we have still had a great year,” Key said. “We are looking to be bigger and better next year.”

Today is the last day the pool will be open this year.

Contact Mondee Tilley at mtilley@mtairynews.com or at 719-1930.