Cool Off the Kids This Summer! 16 Austin Splash Pads, Plus Tips for Newbies

What better way to cool off (and wear out) the kids than to visit one of Austin’s 16 splash pads?

No need to play lifeguard; just keep a lookout for the wet smiles and peals of laughter of your little cherubs, then sit back in your lawn chair, reading a magazine or cleaning the inbox on your beloved handheld device.

Below is a list of Austin’s best splash pads. But, before we set you off, here are five quick tips for a splashing good time!

Splash Pad Tips

• What to Bring: Bring a big bag with healthy snacks, water bottles, towels, extra sunscreen, water shoes, swim diapers, plastic bags for wet swimsuits, wipes/napkins
• Before You Get There: Save yourself from squirming, screaming kiddos hungering to play and apply everyone’s sunscreen before you leave while they’re busy doing something calm, like watching their favorite show. Have them don their suits at home, and you’ll avoid bathroom-changing chaos and the perpetual escape artist.
• On the Way: Explain any safety rules you’d like them to obey and that it’s not safe to drink the spraying water at a splash pad! (Trust us – they will want to!)
• Halfway Through: Prevent melt-downs by initiating a break halfway through the visit so that kids can reapply sunscreen, rehydrate, and refuel. Make sure to sanitize their hands before they eat!
• Keep the Splash Pad Good Clean Fun: Enforce restroom breaks and change soiled swim diapers immediately.

Austin Splash Pads

Bailey Park – 1101 W. 33^rd Street

Open May 18 – September 8, 2013 daily from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Bartholomew Park – 5200 Berkman Drive

Open May 18 – September 8, 2013 daily from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Chestnut Park – 2207 East 16^th Street

Open May 18 – September 8, 2013 daily from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Clarksville Splash Pad – 1811 W. 11^th Street (near Tarrytown homes)

Open May 18 – September 8, 2013 daily from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Dick Nichols District Park – 8011 Beckett Rd. (near Southwest Austin homes)

Open May 13^th – June 9, 2013 daily from 12:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. and weekends 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. There is a kid’s water-play area with a water-spitting seal, plus hike and bike trails throughout.

Eastwoods Park – 3001 Harris Park Blvd.

Open May 18 – September 8, 2013 daily from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Hill Country Galleria – 12700 Hill Country Blvd. (near West Austin homes)

Interactive fountain is operational but turned off when the weather is bad or during a scheduled amphitheater event. Call Guest Services to confirm that the fountain is on before heading over (512-263-0001).

Liz Carpenter Fountain – 1000 Barton Springs Rd. (at Butler Park, just south of Auditorium Shores)

Open year-round. Hours of operation are Monday: noon to 9:45 p.m., Tuesday – Sunday: 8 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. Closed for maintenance Mondays from 8 a.m. to noon.

Lott Splash Pad – 1108 Curves Street

Open May 18^th – September 8^th, 2013 daily from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Metz Splash Pad – 2407 Canterbury St. (next to Metz Recreation Center)

Open May 18^th – September 8^th, 2013 daily from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Pease Park Water Sprayground – 1100 Kingsbury St.

Open May 18^th – September 8^th, 2013 daily from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Rosewood Splash Pad – 2300 Rosewood Ave.

Open May 18^th – September 8^th, 2013 daily from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m

Ricky Guerrero Splash Pad – 2006 S. 6th Street

Open May 18^th – September 8^th, 2013, from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., every day except Wednesday. On Wednesdays it will be closed for maintenance.

Southpark Meadows – 9600 IH-35 South (in South Austin)

In The Grove (behind Mama Fu’s) next to a great playground. The bubbling fountain is not always turned on, and there is no set operating schedule.

The Triangle – 4700 N. Lamar Boulevard

The park offers a fountain for children. Adults can shop at the Austin Farmers’ Market (Wednesdays 3 – 7 p.m.). The fountain is not always turned on, and there is no set operating schedule.

The Domain – 11410 Century Oaks Terrace (close to Great Hills homes)

There is a splash pad with bubblers (directly in front of Guest Services). There is a second, bigger fountain for playing located in Domain II (on the walkway between Dick’s Sporting Goods and Dillard’s) in front of Gold Class Cinemas. Before heading over, contact Guest Services at (512) 873-8099 to see if the water is turned on.

(Pictures with permission courtesy of Austin Parks Foundation)

The Austin REALTORS® at Regent Property Group enjoying sharing relevant news and information with clients and their families. We also enjoy helping homebuyers stay on top of the Austin real estate market. On the lookout for a condo uptown, or a lakefront luxury home? Don’t splash around – check us out!