Free Summer Fun at Local Splash Pads!

Most of the city pools have closed now that school is back in session, but it's still super hot! So where else can you take your little ones to cool off on the cheap?

Splash Pads!

Splash Pads can be found all over the Phoenix area. As the mother of a 2 year old, I love the idea of a splash pad. I don't have to worry about the danger of standing water since she can't swim yet, but she still gets to cool down and burn some energy off!

Have you ever taken your kids to a splash pad? A splash park is a public area where spraying or shooting water is provided. This makes it a great place to take kids that don't yet know how to swim. And for us frugal people, most of them are in public parks, so they are free! Gotta love that!

There are tons of splash parks around town. Currently, I don't know of any splash pads in Mesa other than the one at Mesa Riverview. If you do, let us know! Remember, even though there is no deep water at these splash playgrounds, you still need to watch your children at all times and follow the park rules.

*Some parks may have residency requirements for use of the facilities.

Gilbert

Power Ranch Club House Spray Pad (Located at the Club House)

Phoenix

Altadena Park Spray Pad: 3711 E. Altadena Avenue. The nearby major cross streets are 36th Street and Cactus Road. 602-262-6696.

Civic Space Park Spray Pad: 424 N. Central Ave in Downtown Phoenix. 602-262-6412. Accessible by METRO light rail.

Edison Park Spray Pad: 901 N. 19th Street. 602-262-6412. The nearby major cross streets are 19th Street and Roosevelt.

Francisco Highland Park: 2702 E. South Mountain Avenue. The nearby major cross streets are 28th Street and South Mountain Avenue at the base of South Mountain. 602-262-6111.

Harmon Park Spray Pad: 1239 S. 5th Avenue. The nearby major cross streets are 5th Avenue and Buckeye. 602-262-6412.

Laveen Village Park Spray Pad: 3146 W. Vineyard, Phoenix. The nearby major cross streets are 31st Avenue and Baseline Road. 602-262-6111.

Mountain Vista Park Spray Pad: 13647 S. 50th Street in Ahwatukee Foothills. The nearby major cross streets are 50th Street and Ray Road.

Nuestro Park Spray Pad: Ninth Street and Pima, south of downtown Phoenix. 602-262-6111.

Pecos Park Spray Pad

Pecos Park Spray Pad: 48th Street and Pecos Road in the Ahwatukee Foothills area of Phoenix. You must enter the park from 48th Street, via Chandler Boulevard. 602-262-6111.

The Phoenix Zoo has a sprayground called Leapin' Lagoon, and is included with your paid admission to the Phoenix Zoo. This splash playground is located near the main lake across from the Enchanted Forest. Call for info 602-273-1341. (Note: This splash pad is not operated by the City of Phoenix.)

Tempe

Tempe Splash Playground

The Tempe Splash Playground is located on the south bank of Tempe Town Lake at Tempe Beach Park near the entrance to the park at Rio Salado Parkway and Mill Avenue. "The entrance to the playground is a metal circle of clouds that rains a light mist of water onto visitors. Thunder claps and lightning flashes. Waterfalls turn into streams and water rushes into canals. Children can enjoy running through the ocean and riding toy whales, or playing on the sandy beach. Only about two inches of water will pool in parts of the park. The water is kept flowing across the playground, where it is eventually collected, filtered, cleaned, and re-circulated in a state-of-the-art system." Call for info 480-350-8625.

The Jaycee Park splash pad is located at 817 W 5th Street (at Hardy Drive) in Tempe. Call for info 480-350-8625.

The Hudson Park splash pad is located south of Apache Blvd. on Cedar Street between Rural and McClintock. Call for info 480-350-8625.

The Esquer Park splash pad is located just east of the Loop 101 and north of Apache Blvd. Call for info 480-350-8625.

Glendale

Glendale Playground Splash Pad

The Aquatic Playground Splash Pad in Glendale, Arizona is located at 83rd Avenue and Bethany Home Road. The 8,500-square-foot aquatic playground "features nearly 30 different nozzles and buckets, from cattails to ground geysers..." Call for info at 623-930-2820.

Chandler

Chuparosa Park Spray Pad

The Chuparosa Park Spray Pad is located at 2400 S. Dobson Rd., south of Germann Rd. in Chandler. The spray pad has one ground spray, four spray rings, and one candy cane shaped shower. Call for info 480-782-2750.

Desert Breeze Park Spray Animals

Desert Breeze Park Spray Animals are located at 660 N. Desert Breeze Blvd., between Rural Rd. and McClintock Dr. and between Ray Rd. & Chandler Blvd. There are 3 Dolphins, 1 elephant, and 3 ground sprays. Call for info 480-782-2750.

Espee Park Spray Pad

The Espee Park Spray Pad is located at 450 E. Knox, between Arizona Avenue and McQueen Road. Call for info 480-782-2750.

Peoria

Rio Vista Splash Park

Peoria, Arizona's Rio Vista Splash Park is located at the Rio Vista Community Park about 1/4 mile west of the Loop 101 on Thunderbird Road.

Scottsdale

The spray pad at Vista del Camino Park is located at 7700 E. Roosevelt. This park is located in the Indian Bend Wash complex, near Hayden Road.

The spray pad at Paiute Park is located at 3210 N. 66th street, South of Osborn Road.

Scottsdale has "spray poles" on the playgrounds at McCormick Stillman Railroad Park, 7301 E. Indian Bend Road (Scottsdale Road, north of Lincoln), and at Agua Linda Park, 8732 E. McDonald (Pima Road and McDonald).

La Mirada Park has sprayers. It is located at 8950 E. Pinnacle Peak Road in north Scottsdale.

The Chesnutt Park spray pad is located at 4565 N. Granite Reef Road.

The spray pad at Pima Park can be found at 8600 E. Thomas Road.

For all questions regarding Scottsdale spray pads and splash parks, call 480-312-7275.

Surprise

Hollyhock Community Pool Spray Pad

The Hollyhock Community Pool includes a water spray pad with play features. The spray pad is located at 15808 N. Hollyhock Street in Surprise. There is a nominal entry fee to the facility; people who don't show proof of Surprise residency will pay a bit more.

There is a small splash pad at Heritage (Marley) Park. It is located at 15073 W. Sweetwater Ave. It is free.

Goodyear

Goodyear Community Park Splash Pad

The splash pad at Goodyear Community Park is located at 3151 N. Litchfield Road in Goodyear, Arizona and is open from April 15 through October 15. The hours of operation are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Children under 6 years old must be accompanied by an adult or responsible person who is at least 13 years old. No glass, beverages or food of any kind are permitted in within 10’ walkways of play area. No pets allowed in play area. Periodic maintenance may cause the splash pad to be closed.

Splash Pads at Local Malls...

SanTan Village, Gilbert

The children's play area at SanTan Village has a pop jet water fountain where the kids are invited to get wet after shopping or after a movie. There is no charge and it is open during mall hours. Park close to Dillard's for easiest access. Call for information 480-792-1500.

Westgate City Center, Glendale

Fountain Park is located at Westgate City Center near AMC Westgate 20. Access is convenient whether guests park on the east, west or north end (near AMC) of City Center. The fountain is year-round and there is no charge to enjoy it. Adults must supervise their children. Food must be kept at least 10 feet away from the water area. Children should wear bathing suits. The fountain runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more info call 623-772-4000.

Mesa Riverview

Mesa Riverview Splash Pad is located near the Cinemark Movie Theater in the Mesa Riverview shopping center off the Loop 202 and Dobson Road in Mesa.

Kierland Commons, Scottsdale

The Plaza Water Fountain at Kierland Commons in north Scottsdale is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. except during the winter months. Children must be supervised by an adult. It is in the center of the complex, just off Main Street in Section B near Cold Stone Creamery. Call 480-348-1577 for more info.

Desert Ridge Marketplace, Phoenix

The Fountain at Desert Ridge Marketplace in north central Phoenix is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. year round. Children must be supervised by an adult and clothing/bathing suits or diaper covers are required. No pets. The fountain is located in The District near the AMC Theatre and may be accessed from the north near Paradise Bakery or the from the south near Islands Fine Burgers. Call 480-513-7586 for more info.

Enchanted Island Splash Zone

Flower Showers and Water Mushrooms will delight children of all ages at Enchanted Island Amusement Park in Phoenix. Cool down, get drenched, soaked or splashed. Bring your swimsuit and towel; children in diapers must wear swimmer pants. Admission to the Splash Zone is included with your general admission to the amusement park. If you aren't interested in the rides, you can purchase an all-day Splash Zone pass at a reduced price (no charge for adults accompanied by paying children).

This post was written with information from this About.Com article, the City of Chandler website, & my personal experience.