The sun is shining, and it’s a beautiful day to be outdoors. Lakes and beaches are filled to capacity, both on the water and in the parking lot, grills are going and sno cones or popsicles are the perfect way to end the day.
If you’ve lived in North Texas long, you know these words aren’t specific to summer. In fact, there are days in December and January that fit the same description, and from March through October, this is the reality for most days. So what happens when you desperately need to beat the heat, the kids are restless from being indoors and you want to relax, rather than watch their every move at a deep and crowded swimming hole?
You embrace the local spraygrounds and splash pads!
(Wait! What’s a splash pad? …..) A splash pad is a (usually free) outdoor play area with sprinklers and fountains and other structures that spray water. It’s essentially a water playground.
Let the kids run around, get wet and let some of that energy loose. For you, grab your favorite beverage and music or audio book and look for the closest covered pavilion or seating (or bring your beach chair and umbrella) and enjoy.
Did you know we have some of the most exciting splash pads in Arlington? We’ve listed a number of them below!
Splash Pads in Arlington
Brantley Hinshaw Park
Featuring a spiral spray tunnel as well as ground jets, little kids (and big ones) love this park. And for those who don’t mind the heat, there’s also a basketball court, practice field and two playgrounds. 2121 Overbrook Dr, Arlington, TX 76014
California Lane Park
The spinning water play station is a prized gem of this popular splash pad. The splash pad also has ground jets and a spray tunnel and arch. Playgrounds and courts are also available. 2001 California Ln, Arlington, TX 76015
Helen Wessler Park
Known best as a play pool, this upgraded, very shallow splash pad mixes what you’d traditionally know as a sprayground and a pool. Interactive water structures here engage your kids’ minds and body while keeping the entire family cool. This park also offers family changing rooms and shaded areas. While most other splash areas are free, this location costs $2 admission for anyone older than 12 months. 2200 Greenway St, Arlington, TX 76010
Don Misenheimer Park
Don Misenheimer Park’s splash pad could easily be coined “imagination station.” Kids can play on a whale fountain, a spraying palm tree, and a turtle and create their own fun games with the nearly 10-foot ground jets. 201 E Lonesome Dove Trail, Arlington, TX 76002
Bad Königshofen Family Aquatic Center / S.J. Stovall Park
Aquatic bliss and a bit more than just a splash pad, this 52-acre park offers interactive spray pads, a shallow water play pool, lap pools and two water slides. This southwest Arlington gem also features hiking, volleyball courts and bike trails. Of course, you don’t have to do everything at once. Enjoy the epic spray pad one afternoon and hit the pool another day. 2800 W Sublett Road, Arlington, TX 76017
Levitt Pavilion
From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, kids can play and splash at Levitt Pavilions interactive water fountains. Stay for the evening and enjoy a free concert as a family. 100 W Abram St, Arlington, TX 76010
Enjoy! Be sure to check out Arlington’s Parks & Recreation Department’s website to stay updated on hours/days of operations and any closings that may occur.
Know of any other great spraypads, sprinkler parks or splash pads in Arlington? Click here and let us know!