Updated 6/2019
It’s our annual guide- the biggest, wettest list of outdoor wading pools, spraygrounds, fountains, and water features in the South Puget Sound. For the sake of my sanity, I’ve only listed public, outdoor venues. Here they are, listed by city:
Please note that I have listed open/not open based on dates listed on their websites or Fb pages as well as historical openings. I have NOT yet personally check on each, though I will! In the meantime, call ahead if you would be coming from a distance.
SeaTac
Angle Lake Park – OPEN Spray park is open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Spray park hours are 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. There is also a swimming area here but no lifeguards
Burien Town Square Plaza water feature OPEN May through October. This one has been prone to mechanical failures, so call first if you’re coming from a distance.
Federal Way
Town Square Plaza Park This should be OPEN, but we have not yet confirmed. This park opened in the summer of 2016. Our awesome readers say it’s a lot of fun, as is the playground. Note there is not shade here, so bring your own sunscreen and umbrella! 11AM-8PM *Note there is a park with a similar name in downtown Kent. This is a different park.
Renton
Henry Moses Aquatic Center – Not yet open-will open June 22nd. You see this one from the freeway. It has waterslides, water features, toddler play area, and more. Admission is pricey if you’re not a resident, and they do limit capacity. You could arrive and find it closed to further entry, so my suggestion is to go early on a warm day and have a back-up plan. Gene Coulon Park would be my suggestion-swimming beach and lots of ammenities.
Kent
Town Square Plaza – Open Spheres that shoot water; open as long as it’s working!
- Park plaza open daily dawn to dusk.
- Fountains operate from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily, from the third Monday of May to the first Monday of October, except for maintenance needs.
- Restrooms open from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily, from the third Monday of May to the first Monday of October, except for maintenance needs.
Note from SFM: These are prone to maintenance issues, so go with a back up plan.
Auburn
Les Gove Park – OPEN The rotary sprayground by the Discovery Playground is open from 10-8 daily through September 5th. Note from SFM: These are last year’s hours. We’re still confirming, but they should be the same.
Enumclaw
Mud Mountain Dam and Park Probably NOT yet open This is a wading pool with sort of a sprinkler/fountain overhead. There are also nature trails and a viewing platform with nice, short hikes. Typically opens after the 4th of July. We have a call in to the ranger to check.
Puyallup
Pioneer Park – Currently OPEN. 10am-8pm, daily. This is in Pioneer Park by the library, right downtown. You can park at the surface lot behind City Hall or on the bottom floor of the building-it’s the one with the Subway and Elements Froyo. It will be open daily until Labor Day.
Pioneer Park Sprayground
Tacoma
Franklin Park Photo by Russ Carmack
Metro Parks Tacoma –OPEN All ten spray grounds are open from 10AM-8PM daily through Labor Day, with weekend hours after that.
- Franklin Park
- Jefferson Park
- Kandle Park
- Note-The pool here opens June 22nd.
- Norpoint Park
- SERA Campus (near STAR Center)
- South Park
- Titlow Park .
- Verlo Playfield
- Wapato Hills Park
- Wright Park
Point Ruston OPEN There is now a sprayground on Ruston Way at Point Ruston. It’s south of the theatre and a great place to hang out with an amazing view of the Sound. There is also a really cool playground nearby. Note that you now have to pay to park in the garage here, though some merchants validate.
Fircrest – OPEN There is a wading pool next to the outdoor pool. Both have hours open to non residents.
Outdoor Pools – Kandle Park and Stewart Heights Pool are two awesome outdoor pools in Tacoma. Both open June 22nd.
Pt Defiance ZooThere is a small lily pad splash pad in the kids’ zone at the Pt. Defiance Zoo. There is a small changing tent, but I would make this your last stop, because they will get wet. We haven’t yet confirmed if this is on; typically zoo staff turn it on when it’s hot out.
Gig Harbor
There is a new, interactive water feature at the renovated Skansie Brothers Park on the waterfront. You can see some more pics and reader tips on our Facebook page.
It should be open dawn to dusk, but it did have quite a lot of maintenance issues last year. We’re checking on this one for you.
Yelm
New! A brand new splash pad has been opened next to the playground at Yelm City Park next to the community center. Yes, it’s open!
Olympia/Lacey
From their site: The new sprayground and picnic shelter at Woodruff Park are now open daily from 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM. The sprayground will remain open until Labor Day (September 2). Overflow parking is available at Garfield Elementary during the summer.
From their site-The fountain is open daily from 11am – 9pm in Summer (June-Sept) and 11am – 7pm in Winter (Oct-May).
East Bay Public Plaza – Currently OPEN. The East Bay Plaza stream runs between the LOTT Wet Center and the Children’s Museum. Kids can play in it, and there are periodic special activities here. Check the East Bay Public Plaza Facebook page before you go, as there are sometimes unexpected OFF periods for maintenance. Typical open hours are 10AM-8PM May-August.
Tanglewilde Pool is scheduled to open June 15th. This is a seasonal, privately funded pool, but it is open to the public.
The South Sound is also blessed with many parks where you can take a dip in a lake or the chilly Puget Sound. If you’ve got a favorite place to keep cool, leave a comment and let us in on it! If you know a spot for water play I missed, let me know! *Keep in mind that despite our warm weather right now, lakes, rivers, and the Sound will be Very cold and rivers may also be running swiftly. And, of course, you should designate one adult to have eyes on children in the water. I know…..you knew that….
For indoor swimming fun, check with your local high school or parks department. Or, try an indoor pool with water park style features! You can click on the link below for our favorites!
