Ready to cool off those kiddos? Or yourself?
Summer is heating up! If you’re looking for a quick cool down, you’re in luck. Gone are the days of simply running through the backyard sprinkler. Oak Park and the surrounding suburbs are full of exciting aquatic centers and splash pads to keep your kids entertained. In recent years, public pools have upped their game by adding slides, sand, and zero-depth water areas. Many of the local parks have splash pads with a wide array of various nozzles and features that can shower, spray, rain, mist, and shoot streams of water.
To help you create your summer bucket list, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite spots. So, suit up, grab your towel and sunscreen, and prepare for some great ways to cool off and have fun this summer!
Splash pads are a fantastic way to cool off and have fun during the warmer months, especially since they are typically located in or near public parks, making them easily accessible and convenient. These play areas often feature eye-catching water attractions such as rainbow, mushroom, or tree-shaped showers. Many splash pads also have interactive elements like geyser-like sprayers that activate with a jump and movable nozzles that mimic those found on fire trucks, keeping kids entertained for hours.
Before heading out to a splash pad, it's a good idea to check their website or Facebook pages for daily updates. Many splash pads post information about closures due to weather and any adjustments to their hours. These facilities usually operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day and the best part is, most are free!
Let's take a look at residents' favorite splash pads in the near west suburbs.
Brookfield
Brookfield Zoo Spray Playground
8400 W 31st Street
Splash pads are located near The Living Coast and at the Pavilions and are open when no private events are taking place. Splash pad access is Included with the cost of zoo admission (zoo admission required).
Click here to learn more.
Ehlert Park
Congress Park & Elm Avenues
In addition to the splash pad, this well-maintained park features open green spaces, walking paths, and sports facilities. Summer hours are 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. This splash pad is Ideal for children ages 3-8, but older and younger children are welcome.
Click here to learn more.
Franklin Park
Timber Park Splash Pad
3103 Hawthorne St
The Timber Park Splash Pad is open from sunrise to sunset seven days a week! This is a “kid activated” water feature where kids have to jump for the water to come on and is well suited for all ages.
Click here to learn more.
James Park Splash Pad
10600 James St.
James Park has multiple push-to-activate features that spray water from above. It’s open from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. seven days a week!
Click here to learn more.
Championship Park Splash Pad
9201 Crescent Drive
Championship Park splash pad has two features - a favorite is its tall red feature with five buckets that dump water into the pad. The splash pad is open from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., seven days a week!
Click here to learn more.
La Grange
Gordon Park Splash Pad
Ogden Ave and Tilden
Gordon Park Splash Pad is a gated spray area with water coming up from the ground and a few structures. Gordon Park is just steps away from all that downtown La Grange has to offer.
It is open from May 27th through Labor Day 2024, from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Click here to learn more.
La Grange Park
Memorial Park
132 West Oak Avenue
Memorial Park splash pad has a small overhead spray, water play area with spouts and troughs, and a water table where kiddos love to press buttons.
It is open through Labor Day. Summer hours 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. daily and is best suited for ages 8 and under.
Click here to learn more.
Oak Park
Andersen Park
824 N Hayes Avenue
Anderson Park is a fully enclosed small park which makes it a great option for those families with wandering toddlers. It has a simple tall bell shaped sprayer in the middle with kid activated ground geysers. The splash pad is bordered by large trees on the south and east side and a small space to spread out a few blankets.
Open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Open daily 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Click here to learn more.
Field Park
935 Woodbine Avenue
Field Park is connected to Mann School Park which gives you two for one fun! The splash pad is surrounded by plenty of trees providing lots of shade and is adjacent to the field house which has public restrooms. The splash pad has ground sprayers that are activated by manually pushing the button that sits atop the green pole just outside of the splash pad circle.
There are two benches in the shade directly next to the splash pad as well as a grass field that connects Field Park to Mann School Park, which means you’ll have plenty of space to spread out a picnic blanket.
Field Park also has two play structures and a pavilion.
Open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Open daily 9 am – 7 pm.
Click here to learn more.
Fox Park
624 S Oak Park Avenue
The splash pad at Fox Park is elevated and accessible by a small ramp. The water sprays from the whale water feature - the whale is Fox Park’s unofficial mascot@ The sprayer is activated by pushing the button that sits atop the blue pole just outside of the splash area. The park is a fully enclosed tot-lot with a sandy beach.
The splash pad is recommended for kids ages 2 - 12.
Open Memorial Day – Labor Day. Open daily 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Click here to learn more.
Longfellow Park
610 S Ridgeland Avenue
The splash pad at Longfellow Park has a fun seal water feature and kid-activated geysers in the ground. There is a small sandy beach adjacent to the splash pad. Both the beach and splash pad are in direct sun which is perfect for those cooler days when the kiddos are still looking for some fun in the water. There is also a nice shaded area north of the splash pad where you can lay out a blanket.
The park includes two large play structures with umbrella coverings as well as a basketball court and baseball field, plus partial fencing on the East and South ends. Public restrooms are available as well! A water wheelchair is available for use in the splash pad with one week advance notice to reserve.
Open Memorial Day – Labor Day. Open daily 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Click here to learn more.
