A Letter from the General Manager
June 05, 2026
My name is Matt Hehl, and I’ve had the privilege of serving as General Manager of Water Country since 2020. As I head into my seventh season leading this incredible team, I’m grateful that more than 60% of our hardworking and dedicated hosts return to the park each and every season. This is a testament to our Heartspitality™ culture, where the spirit of heart, hospitality, and guest service is at the core of everything we do, every day.
Water Country was founded in 1984 by the Samuels Family, who continue to make memories here at the park every summer. As we begin the 2026 season, we’re proud to once again be under family ownership and guided by a mission that reflects what Water Country has always been about: Bringing Families Closer Together by Creating Memories Worth Repeating®.
For more than 40 years, Water Country has been part of what summer means in New England. Generations of families have made the drive to Portsmouth singing along to the Water Country jingle, spending long summer days together on their favorite slides and attractions, and creating traditions they look forward to year after year. For many families, a visit to Water Country is more than just a day at the water park; it’s a summer tradition shared across generations.
Whether Water Country is part of your annual summer plans or you’re visiting for the first time in years, you’ll notice our commitment to providing the best guest experience possible throughout the park. Over the past several off seasons, we’ve invested in the park, adding touches inspired by the character and charm of New England while preserving the fun, nostalgia, and traditions generations of families know and love.
The 2026 season brings several additional improvements designed to make your day easier and more enjoyable. We’ve introduced a new security screening system to help guests enter the park more quickly, added additional picnic seating so families have more places to relax and reconnect, and upgraded our main retail location to make it even more convenient to pick up those must-have swim essentials.
From our Water Country family to yours, we can’t wait to welcome you back on Opening Day, June 6, and share another summer of fun, laughter, and memory-making together.
See you soon,
Matt Hehl
General Manager