Updated: May 2024
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!
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 May 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 25 – Sept. 2
- Website
Read about our visit here
Barnett Park – Columbus
- Address: 1184 Barnett Rd. Columbus, OH 43227
- 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
Blackburn Recreation Center Sprayground – Columbus
- Address: 263 Carpenter St. Columbus, OH 43205
- 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
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
- It will open for weekends only starting May 25 and will open for the season 7 days a week starting June 8.
- Dorrian Green fountains will be shut down the week of Sept. 5.
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}
- Opening TBD, assuming Memorial Day weekend
- 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: Opens to the public May 25 to Sept. 1 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 – TBD on 2024. Keeping a close eye for announcements!
Until then, Check out renderings for the project and see what the fountain will look like when it reopens.
- 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: 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
- 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
- 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: 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 3 – Columbus Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet.
- June 17 – Paulette’s Princess Parties.
- July 1 – The Musical Magic Duel: Erica Carlson, Magic Nate, and Mark Reinhart.
- July 15 – The Shazzbots.
- July 29 – Bring the Farm to You.
- August 10 – Paulette’s Princess Parties.
SCIOTO SOUTHLAND COMMUNITY CENTER SPRAYGROUND
- Address: 3901 Parsons Ave.Columbus, OH 43207
- Hours: 12 PM – 6 PM
- 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
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.
- Gantz Park (Grove City)
- Not only do they have a pretty cool playground, just behind it there is a little creek to explore.
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.
