The Ultimate Guide to Columbus Area Splash Pads and Water Fun {2025}

Updated: May 2025

When it comes to summer fun with kids, splash pads are the real MVP. 🙌 They’re easy, safe, and honestly? A total win for parents who don’t feel like squeezing into a swimsuit. 🙃 As much as my kids love water, I’ll admit—traditional pools used to give me anxiety. The deep end, the slippery edges, the constant “Where are they?!” But splash pads? Total game-changer. The water stays low, the vibes stay high, and everyone leaves happy (and tired). They’re also perfect for spontaneous playdates, midday picnics, or just burning off that wild summer energy without a huge production.

In this post, I’m breaking down why splash pads are the unsung heroes of summer and how to find the best ones near you. Let’s dive in! 💦

Check out this list of things we typically bring with us on water adventures! My favorite might be the collapsible buckets and of course, the portable fans.

Gahanna’s Splash Pad – Newest Splash Pad

• Address: Gahanna Pool, 148 Parkland Dr, Gahanna, OH 43230
• As of 6, it is OPEN for the season!
• 8 AM – Noon (After May 26th when the pool opens), Currently (5/6) it is open 8AM – 8PM.

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 24 – Sept. 1
• Website

Read about our visit here

Barnett Park – Columbus

• Address: 1184 Barnett Rd. Columbus, OH 43227 
• Hours announced early Summer 2025.
• Closed: Memorial Day (May 26) Independence Day (July 4) Labor Day (Sept. 1)
• Website

Blackburn Recreation Center Sprayground – Columbus

• Address: 263 Carpenter St. Columbus, OH 43205
• Hours announced early Summer 2025.
• Closed: Memorial Day (May 26) Independence Day (July 4) Labor Day (Sept. 1)
• 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
• They have an AWESOME playground next to the spraygrounds. If your kids like dinosaurs, they will love it!
• 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
• Opening announced early Summer 2025.

Learn more about this park + the fun playground the have here.

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 on Opening
• Website

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: Open when the Grove City YMCA outdoor pool is open.
• They have an AMAZING playground just across the lot from the splash pad!
• Website

Fountainside at the Scioto Mile – Downtown

• Address: Bicentennial Park – 233 Civic Center Dr., Columbus, OH 43215
• Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Website

Hanby Park – Westerville

• Address: 15 E. Park St Westerville, OH 43081
• Hours: Opens Memorial Day weekend
• 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! Read more in this blog post.

Hilliard Station Park – Hilliard

• Address: 4021 Main St, Hilliard, OH 43026
• Hours: Fountains are on daily (unless there’s an event) 9 a.m. – 10 p.m
• Opens for the season Mid-May
• Splash pad closes for the season October 1
• 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, Closed Mondays
• Opens Friday, May 24 2024
• Website

LINDEN CENTER FOR OPPORTUNITY SPRAYGROUND

• Address: 1350 Briarwoord Ave. Columbus, OH 43211
• Hours: 12:00pm to 6:00pm (Daily)
• It will open for weekends only starting May 25 and will open for the season 7 days a week starting June 8.
• 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
• On-street parking
• Website

All Posts

Obetz Splash Pad – Obetz – As of June, it seems as if they are closed for construction/updates! You can read more here.

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
• 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. 
• Opening Memorial Day Weekend
• Website

Polaris Fashion Place – North Columbus

• 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: The area will open for the season on Monday, May 26, at 2 p.m. 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.

SCIOTO SOUTHLAND COMMUNITY CENTER SPRAYGROUND

• Address: 3901 Parsons Ave.Columbus, OH 43207 
• Hours: 12 PM – 6 PM
• Opening date gets announced early summer 2025.
• Closed: Memorial Day, July 4th and Labor Day
• Website

Another great way to soak up summer? Creek play. 💦 It’s one of those timeless, low-key activities that just never gets old—splashing around, flipping over rocks to look for tiny critters, catching crayfish, or simply cooling off in the shade of the trees. It’s such a fun (and free!) way for kids to connect with nature and let their imaginations run wild. That said, a few safety reminders go a long way: always supervise little ones closely, have them wear water shoes to protect their feet from sharp rocks, and keep an eye out for strong currents or deeper pools. With a little prep, creek days can be pure summer magic—and the memories made are the kind that stick.

• 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.

• Gantz Park (Grove City)
  • Not only do they have a pretty cool playground, just behind it there is a little creek to explore.

Looking to add a few new spots to your summer park lineup? Here are a few that are still on my list to explore (so if you beat me there—report back! 😉): Amberleigh Community Park, Kiwanis Riverway Park, Blues Creek Park, Indian Run Falls, Char-Mar Ridge Park, Friendship Park, Blendon Woods, and Sycamore Creek Park. So many trails, creeks, and playgrounds… so little time. 🌿🛝☀️