Washington is expected to have an unusually warm summer this year, and with summer break coming up, it’s a great time to start your summer fun, kids’ bucket list. No matter where you are in the greater Snohomish County area, you can likely find a splash pad close by. During summer months, you can keep the kids cool and happy no matter what your day looks like with a quick clothing change and promises of a new splash park to play in after the work is done.
Dozens of summer day camps spend weeks at spray parks where campers bring lunches and suits and play all day in the water with friends. Kids often line up waiting for the water to start in the morning. Splash pad season starts on Memorial Day weekend and ends on Labor Day weekend.
Over the last 25 years, splash pads have sprung up around the country. Installation is easy and inexpensive compared to neighborhood pools. Towns have brought water play from the front yard sprinkler to community parks all over Washington.
Cities began installing these parks because they’re relatively inexpensive to operate. Splash pads are easy to install, and the variety of features keeps kids interested and excited to try new places. Finding locations is also an easy win. They’re situated on park property already city-owned, where the space can be used year-round.
Unlike pools, splash pads don’t need lifeguards or fences. They use less water and are easier to maintain without messy bathrooms and dressing rooms. Public swimming pools can be expensive to run and are closed most of the year.
Splash pads are considered safer for children. The water is required to drain immediately, leaving no potentially dangerous standing water. This also reduces the risk of bacteria that can accumulate in stagnant liquid. Splash pads use potable water that’s fed through a filtration system and treated with chlorine to eliminate bacteria. The water is often tested several times a day for cleanliness and safety.
Willis D. Tucker Community Park
Open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Willis D. Tucker Community Park in Silver Firs is one of the largest splash pads in Snohomish. The park also has sand volleyball pits, picnic shelters, a big playground, and a super fun splash pad with a water cannon, water dome, jellyfish water spinner, volcano, domes and splash palace.
Forest Park
Open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Forest Park in Everett has a fantastic play space, with lots of climbing balls and structures, including a huge elephant statue. The splash pad is on the smaller side, resembling several super sprinklers to run through. The park covers 197 acres with trails and a self-guided nature tour.
Edmonds City Park
Open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Edmonds City Park in Edmonds is a wildly popular park that is packed during the summer with multiple birthdays every weekend and day camps dropped off by the busload. The Hazel Miller Spray Park is big with multiple spraying arches to run through, water rockets to shoot at each other, fountains shooting up from the ground, and a massive green bucket that fills up every few minutes, then tips and dumps a waterfall on top of children’s heads. The nearby park is large and has a climbing wall, multiple play structures and swings.
Haller Park
Open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Haller Park in Arlington features its own concession stand, Stilly Snack Shack, from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and most Sundays through July. The stand will close during inclement weather or rain when there aren’t enough kids to keep it open.
This fun splash pad is stained vibrant blue and turquoise. It has squirting ducks, fountains, and lots of water features. The park has access to the 30-mile-long Centennial Trail, so bring your bikes along and make a day of it.
North Cove Park
Open from 7 a.m. until dusk
North Cove Park in Lake Stevens is ideal for cooling off in the summer heat and perfect for families with children of multiple ages. There’s access to a beach on Lake Stevens and a doc. A small splash pad for the littles mimics the look of a stream with fountains spraying out from behind giant boulders. It has a big playground close by and access to bathrooms. It’s a calming, serene place to spend a day by the lake.
Snohomish County has dozens of amazing water spots to play; splash pads are just one of many ways for your kids to cool off this summer. Whether you’re squeezing a little downtime into a day of errands or spending the whole day with a picnic on the grass, be sure to utilize these fantastic, free public spaces.
