Due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, we recommend checking with each venue before heading out. Some splash pads and pools may not be opening this year.
Things to consider before you head out for some water play fun at your local splash playground.
- Is there an adjacent playground? If so, you may want to bring an extra set of clothes. (Of course you may want to do this anyway so the kiddos aren’t riding home in the car seats soaking wet.)
- Are there concessions? We have asterisked (**) the ones we know about for you below.
- Make sure you have the essentials! Water (to drink), snacks (fruit is great on hot summer days), sunscreen, towels, hats, water shoes and hand sanitizer.
- Double check if there is an admission fee. Many of the spraygrounds featured have a free component to a wet/dry playground combination, but some do charge a small fee. The community pools mentioned do have fees associated, but they are very reasonable.
- Bring your camera or phone, because sprayground pics are precious!
- There is benefit to bringing both a wet and dry bag on these kinds of outings.
- Do you want to wear swim clothes yourself? Sometimes it is inevitable that you will get wet as well when you are chasing your little ones around.
- Lather on the sunscreen before leaving the house. It takes a while to start working.
Splash Playgrounds
Washington Park Interactive Waterpark
A state-of-the-art, 7,000 square foot interactive water feature is a focal point for the park and a year-round attraction. The water feature consists of more than 130 pop up jets that can be synchronized to music and lights. Other elements include steps with cascading water and a large boulder with water flowing over the sides to create a playful attraction for children.
The water park is open daily, April through October, from 10am – 11pm.
Adjacent to a dry playground.
FREE
Smale Riverfront Park Interactive Fountains
The fountains are on the Walnut Street Plaza (opposite The Banks) and in the Main Street Plaza, at the foot of Joe Nuxhall Way along Mehring Way. Fountains can also be found on the West end of the park near the suspension bridge and adjacent to the carousel.
The fountains are open from 10am-11pm
Adjacent to a dry playground and in the Carol Ann Carousel. If you plan to ride the carousel you WILL need to do this first or bring dry clothes to change into.
FREE
Parky’s Wetland Adventure in Woodland Mound
One of Great Parks of Hamilton County’s three wet playgrounds. Located at Woodland Mound, this playground features a 16-foot tree with two slides, a whimsical great blue heron, frogs, turtles and flowers which spray water.
Hours are 11am-7pm, starting May 26. Starting August 20th they are only open for weekends until September 3rd.
Admission wristbands, valid at all three wet playgrounds, are $4 per child (children under 2 are free), $10 for three children or $25 for a season pass. All playgrounds pass $40.
A valid Great Parks of Hamilton County Motor Vehicle Permit ($14 annually; $3 daily) is required to enter the parks.
Adjacent to a dry playground.
** Concessions **
Parky’s Ark in Winton Woods
One of Great Parks of Hamilton County’s three wet playgrounds. Located at the Winton Woods Harbor, this wet play area includes 18 animal figures that squirt and spray water onto the play surface area.
Hours are 11am-7pm, May 26th-August 20th and then on weekends only through Labor Day, weather permitting.
Admission wristbands, valid at all three wet playgrounds, are $4 per child (children under 2 are free), $10 for three children or $25 for a season pass. All playgrounds pass $40.
A valid Great Parks of Hamilton County Motor Vehicle Permit ($14 annually; $3 daily) is required to enter the parks.
Adjacent to a dry playground.
** Concessions **
Clippard Park
The sprayground at Clippard Park is be open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend from 11am – 5pm daily. It features a variety of motion activated features for all to enjoy plus a nice shaded picnic table for those who prefer to stay dry.
Adjacent to a dry playground.
FREE
Beech Acres Park
This is a great park for kids of all ages and literally a little bit of everything. The water feature is turned on from 10am-8pm and scheduled to be turned on from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day weekend.
Incorporated into a dry playground.
FREE
Juilfs Park
The water play area completes the well-received playground renovation and continues the playground’s farm theme with these features: a pig, rooster, horse, sheep and bull aqua sprayers; trickle tractor; and silo aqua sprayer.
Adjacent to a dry playground.
FREE
Home of the Brave
This 54-acre park features five multi-purpose sporting fields for soccer, softball, baseball and lacrosse, a Veterans’ memorial plaza, a shelter, and wet and dry playground areas.
The water park feature operates from Memorial Day to Labor Day, from 11am – 7pm
FREE
Sharon Woods
This little stream and sprayground, is a great way to burn off energy in the late afternoons.
Adjacent to a dry playground.
FREE
** Concessions **
Pleasant Ridge Sprayground
Part of the Cincinnati Recreation Commission, hours are 10am – 10pm.
A pool membership is required (daily admission can be purchased) during regular pool hours, otherwise, free
Oakley Sprayground
Part of the Cincinnati Recreation Commission, hours are 10am – 10pm.
A pool membership is required (daily admission can be purchased) during regular pool hours, otherwise, free
McKie Sprayground
Part of the Cincinnati Recreation Commission, hours are 10am – 10pm.
A pool membership is required (daily admission can be purchased) during regular pool hours, otherwise, free
North Fairmount Sprayground
Open for fun late May through early September!
FREE
South Fairmount Sprayground
Open for fun late May through early September!
FREE
Caldwell Sprayground
Open for fun late May through early September!
FREE
Dyer Sprayground
Open for fun late May through early September!
FREE
College Hill Sprayground
Open for fun late May through early September!
FREE
Oyler Sprayground
Open for fun late May through early September!
FREE
City of Covington Pool & Sprayground
The Water Park/Splash Pad is great for young children. The Water Park is subject to a seasonal schedule and is available to all Covington residents in possession of a pool pass.
FREE to Covington Residents – Proof of Residency is Required
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park
Conveniently located on High Street in the uptown shopping district, it is a beautifully landscaped area including the interactive Kyger Rader Fountain.
FREE
Community Pools & Aquatic Centers
Ziegler Pool
Located in the northwestern-most corner of Ziegler park, the pool is a single connected entity that features three distinct areas:
- A zero-depth entry shallow area at the eastern end
- A central section (the largest of the three) featuring five regulation 25-meter lanes
- A deep end including a one-meter diving board, and a climbing wall that arcs out slightly over the water
Along the western side of the shallow pool is an accessible ramp with handrails that leads swimmers into the pool – ramp slope and length were carefully considered to provide full and easy accessibility, eliminating the need for a mechanical deck-mounted lift. In addition, a fully accessible Pool Service building provides restrooms, showers, first aid, and concessions. While the pool can be utilized for general open swimming, swim lessons are also offered.
Daily Rates: $2 for 16 and younger; $4 Adult : $3
Family Summer Memberships: Rates for membership are assigned based on family income.
Cincinnati Recreation Commission
From shallow water pools built during the Great Depression to modern water parks, CRC has a safe and convenient way for Cincinnatians to play, learn to swim and cool off during the summer months. Best of all, daily admission rates are super affordable!
Daily Rates: $1 for: 8 and younger 8-18: $2 Adult : $3
Family Summer Memberships: $80 (3-6 people)
Locations include:
- Bond Hill
- Bush – Walnut Hills
- Camp Washington
- Hirsch – Avondal
- LeBlond – East End
- Evanston
- Hartwell
- Madisonville
- Millvale
- Mt. Adams
- Filson – Mt. Auburn (Indoor)
- Mt. Washington
- Mckie – Northside
- Oakley
- Hanna: Otto Armleder Memorial Aquatic Center
- Lincoln Rec Center – OTR
- Pleasant Ridge
- Dempsey – Price Hill
- Dickman – Sayler Park
- Dunham: Otto Armleder Regional Aquatic Center
- Ryan – Westwood
- Winton Hills
- Spring Grove Village
Wyoming Family Aquatic Center
The Wyoming Family Aquatic Center offers a competitive-size pool, play and spray area, vortex swirl pool, diving board, slide, bathhouse, and snack bar. The pool operates between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
The pool opens for the 2018 season on May 26 at Noon . Open though Labor day (Sept 3)
Daily Rates: $8(resident)/$12(non-resident) for 18 and older; $6(resident)/$10(non-resident) for 3-17; 2 and under are free.
Twilight Rates (after 6pm): $4(resident)/$8(non-resident)
Summer memberships are available.
Fairfield Aquatic Center
Splash around at the Fairfield Aquatic Center this summer. Water-based activities for everyone include an eight lane lap pool, diving board, climbing wall, large swirling water slide, interactive water play structure and sprayground.
The pool opens for the 2018 season on May 26.
Daily Rates: $8 for 18 and older; $5 for 17 and younger, 0-2 are free.
Twilight Rates (after 5pm): $5 for 3 and older
Summer memberships are available.
Florence Family Aquatic Center
This premier facility contains a lazy river, competition pool, zero depth area, two spray grounds, a spiral and a speed slides, sunbathing areas, shelters, funbrellas, bathhouse (including family restrooms) and concessions area.
The pool opens for the 2018 season on May 26-Aug 12.
Daily Rates: $7 (resident)/$10(non-resident) adult; $5 (resident)/$7(non-resident) 3-15, 0-2 are free.
Twilight Rates (after 6pm): $4(resident)/$6(non-resident)
Summer memberships are available.
The City of Oxford Pool
The pool opens for the 2018 season on May 26.
Daily Rates: $4.50 for 18 and older; $3.50 for 3-17; 2 and under are free.
Summer memberships are available.
