Updated: May 2023
When it comes to summer fun with the kids, nothing beats a splash pad! As a parent, it’s easy to worry about water safety mishaps, especially when it comes to little ones who love the water. But with splash pads, we can relax and enjoy the day without fear. And for those of us who aren’t fond of wearing a bathing suit, splash pads are a lifesaver! There are so many reasons why we love splash pads – they’re easy to access, offer plenty of room to run around, and make for great picnic spots and play date destinations. In this blog post, we’ll explore all the reasons why splash pads are the best invention ever, and we’ll share some tips for finding the best ones in your area. Get ready to dive into a summer of fun with splash pads!
If you’re looking for more summer ideas,
check out this list of 90+ family-friendly ideas
Gahanna’s Splash Pad – Newest Splash Pad
Address: Gahanna Pool, 148 Parkland Dr, Gahanna, OH 43230
The splash pad at Gahanna Swimming Pool is open daily May – October, weather permitting. During the pool season, the Splash Pad is open from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. for free use by the community. During pool open hours, visitors must access the splash pad through the GSP entry gate and pay regular admission or hold a pool membership.
Ballantrae/Bunny Park – Dublin
Address: Ballantrae Community Park – 6350 Woerner Temple Rd., Dublin, OH 43016
Hours: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., every day
Season: May 27 – September 4
Website
Read about our visit here
Barnett Park – Columbus
Address: 1184 Barnett Rd. Columbus, OH 43227
Open for weekend May 27-28th and open for the season from June 3 – Sept. 3.
Closed: Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4th and Labor Day
Website
Blackburn Recreation Center Sprayground – Columbus
Address: 263 Carpenter St. Columbus, OH 43205
Open for weekend May 27-28th and open for the season from June 3 – Sept. 3.
Closed: Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4th and Labor Day
Website
Veterans Spray and Play – Delaware
Address: 1121 S. Houk Road. Delaware, OH 43015
Hours: 10:00am to 8:00 pm
Season: Memorial Day through Labor Day
Parking: Free Lot
They have an AWESOME playground next to the spraygrounds. If your kids like dinosaurs, they will love it! This blog post is from when it FIRST opened YEARS ago, so ignore some of the information (I will update it next visit), but there are lots of great pictures to showcase the playground!
Website
DORRIAN GREEN
Address: 50 South Belle St. Columbus, OH 43215 (In front of COSI)
Hours: 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Seven Days A Week
Dorrian Green fountains will be shut down the week of Sept. 5.
Learn more about this park + the fun playground the have here.
New this Summer: Dorrian Days, in partnership with Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, will take place 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟏𝟏 𝐚.𝐦. 𝐭𝐨 𝟐 𝐩.𝐦. and feature inflatables, performances, science experiments, and more family-friendly activities. {June 13 – Aug. 15} This event is FREE.
Easton Town Center – Easton {Town Square Splash Pad}
Address: 160 Easton Town Center, Columbus, OH 43219 – Located by Brio.
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 10AM-9PM, Sunday: 12PM–6PM {Might close early for special events}
TBD
Website
Easton has a FUN summer planned, including Movies by Moonlight (free). Learn more here.
Fryer Park – Grove City
The bright, colorful interactive water play structures follow Discovery Frontier’s space theme and include a rocket slide and a variety of whimsical spray effects with accessibility for all.
Address: 3899 Orders Road, Grove City 43123
Hours: The Splash Pad is open the same hours as the Grove City YMCA outdoor pool. The YMCA is closed for the following holidays: Memorial Day, Labor Day, Independence Day and Juneteenth. Open to the public for free use weekdays – 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday & Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m
Bonus: There is an AWESOME new playground opening up soon just next to the Splash Pad!
Fountainside at the Scioto Mile – Downtown – CLOSED FOR SUMMER 2023
Address: Bicentennial Park – 233 Civic Center Dr., Columbus, OH 43215
Hours: 11am – 6pm
Hanby Park – Westerville
Address: 15 E. Park St Westerville, OH 43081
Hours:
Website
There’s this awesome little playground right next to the spray ground. And guess what? It’s just behind the Westerville Library, which is the coolest place for kids! I suggest you pack a picnic and turn it into a super fun afternoon adventure!
Hilliard Station Park – Hilliard
Update 5/11/23 — 
Hilliard’s Station Park splash pad is NOW OPEN! Remember, dogs are not allowed in the fountains and children should be supervised by an adult. Happy splashing! 
Address: 4021 Main St, Hilliard, OH 43026
Hours: Fountains are on daily (unless there’s an event) 9 a.m. – 10 p.m
Website
Mark your calendars for a super fun Summer in Hilliard. They have a fantastic lineup of events!
John Bishop Park Splash Pad – Whitehall
Address:4815 Etna Road, Whitehall, Ohio 43213
Hours: Tuesday – Sundays, 11:30am – 7:00pm
Opens May 25th, 2023
Website
LINDEN CENTER FOR OPPORTUNITY SPRAYGROUND
Address: 1350 Briarwoord Ave. Columbus, OH 43211
Hours: 12:00pm to 6:00pm (Daily)
Open for weekend May 27-28th and open for the season from June 3 – Sept. 3.
Closed: Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4th and Labor Day
Website
North Bank Pavilion – Arena District/Downtown
Address: 311 W. Long Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Hours: 11 a.m.–6 p.m., Seven Days A Week
The North Bank fountain will remain open until around Sept. 30.
Website
Obetz Splash Pad – Obetz
The Splash Pad is designed for children 12 years and under, and they must be accompanied by an adult who is 16 years or older. Don’t worry if you’re older than 12, though – you can still enter if you’re supervising a child who is 6 years or under, or an individual with special needs. And here’s some good news: everyone is welcome at the Splash Pad, whether you’re a resident or a visitor from out of town.
Address: 4390 Lancaster Avenue 43207 Obetz, OH
Hours: Monday – Sunday, 11 AM – 7 PM
Opening the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, Closes August 27
Website
Partners Park – Marysville
Address: 125 E. Sixth St. Marysville, OH 43040
Hours: 7 days a week from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, unless closed for maintenance/testing.
Website
Polaris Fashion Place – North Columbus
As of May 16th, they let me know that they are currently in process of some repairs, but they do hope to have it up and running this year!
Address: 1500 Polaris Pkwy, Columbus, OH 43240
Hours: TBD
Powell Splash Pad – Powell
Address: Village Green Park, 47 Hall Street, Powell, Ohio 43065.
Hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.
Season: Memorial Day through Labor Day
Before visiting the Splash Pad, check the City’s homepage of the website or Facebook page to see if the Splash Pad is open or closed.
Get ready to mark your calendars for the epic Lollipops concert series! It’s happening right at the splash pad, and let me tell you, it’s an absolute blast and it’s totally FREE! Yep, you read that right, no admission fee at all. And as if that wasn’t enough, they always have cool vendors hanging around, plus a super cool splash pad for everyone to enjoy.
- June 5th: Paulette’s Princess Parties
- June 19th: New Basics Brass Band
- July 3rd: The Shazzbots
- July 17th: Erica Carlson Magic Show with musical guest Mark Reinhardt
- July 31st: Bring the Farm to You
- August 14th: Paulette’s Princess Parties
Psst! Don’t forget to check out all the details in this blog post.
SCIOTO SOUTHLAND COMMUNITY CENTER SPRAYGROUND
Address: 3901 Parsons Ave.Columbus, OH 43207
Hours: 12 PM – 6 PM
Open for weekend May 27-28th and open for the season from June 3 – Sept. 3.
Closed: Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4th and Labor Day
Website
Another great way to enjoy the water during the summer is by playing in creeks! Whether it’s exploring the rocks and wildlife, catching crayfish or simply splashing around, creek play is a classic childhood activity that never gets old. But just like with any water play, safety is key. Always supervise children closely, wear water shoes to protect against sharp rocks, and be aware of any potential hazards like strong currents or deep pools. With these precautions in mind, playing in a creek can be a wonderful way to create summer memories and connect with nature.
- Columbus Metro Parks
- Sharon Woods and Highbanks Metro Parks are our favorites! Sharon Woods has a natural play area further back in the park, while Highbanks is easier to access and offers a ton to explore, with its flat and shallow water. For first-timers, we suggest checking out Highbanks – you can get all the details in this post. To plan your visit, head over to the Metro Parks website – it’s very user-friendly and offers a comprehensive overview of everything the parks have to offer. We’ve also heard great things about the creek at Prairie Oaks, so be sure to check it out if you’re in the area.
- Shale Hallow (Delaware)
- If you’ve never been to Shale Hollow, you’re in for a treat! This hidden gem boasts absolutely stunning views, with the Shale Hollow stream winding along a twisting corridor lined by towering 20- to 40-foot-tall shale cliffs. You can see many remnants of concretions (round rock formations) in the cliffs and along the stream bed, while the creek itself is filled with pieces of Ohio shale that have eroded out of the cliffs and wash down the creek. The shale is even nicknamed “potato chip shale” due to its brittle nature! Additionally, the park features intermittent waterfalls that add to the park’s natural beauty.
- Franklin Park Conservatory (Downtown)
- For those seeking a luxurious version of creeking, look no further than the Children’s Garden at Franklin Park Conservatory. With a towering Sandstone Bluff inspired by the geology of Hocking Hills, visitors can discover friendly Wayside Gnomes and explore the wonders of My Ohio Woods. Along the 166-foot bluff, kids can encounter moss, lichens, ferns, and fossils, immersing themselves in the dynamic landscape of Ohio. While admission is typically required, Franklin County Residents can enjoy free admission on the first Sunday of the month with reservations, or visitors can obtain a free temporary membership by checking out a Columbus Library pass. Find out more details here.
- Gantz Park (Grove City)
- Not only do they have a pretty cool playground, just behind it there is a little creek to explore. Check out this blog post for more pictures and details from Ashley over at CBUS4Kids.
Looking for more parks to explore? Here are a few on my list that I haven’t gotten to yet: Amberleigh Community Park, Kiwanis Riverway Park, Blues Creek Park, Indian Run Falls, Char-Mar Ridge Park, Creekside Park, Friendship Park, Blendon Woods, and Sycamore Creek Park.
