Stay up-to-date with which splash pads are open in Columbus! There are 15 splash pads and water play areas in the city, but many have not announced reopening plans.
Splash pads that are staffed and can control the amount of kids using it at once may be able to reopen earlier. Playgrounds are permitted to reopen on June 10, so splash pads may be able to reopen after that date.
Most splash pads in Columbus are free! Splash pads are an easier way to cool off than going to a swimming pool, and are perfect for younger children and kids of various swimming abilities.
Don’t forget to pack a bag with sunscreen, towels, and snacks (don’t forget drinks!). The kids will play so hard that they’ll be hungry and thirsty once they finally stop!
Check the links below for opening dates unless listed. Occasionally, splash parks will be closed for maintenance, weather-events, or events at the parks, so check the links below before you go.
Splash pads open in Columbus 2020
Partners Park Splash Pad
- Where: 125 E. Sixth St., Marysville
- When: Open daily starting from 10 am – 9 pm
- Details: Restrooms at Partners Park are open.
- Website
Obetz Splash Pad
- Where: 4390 Lancaster Avenue 43207 Obetz, OH
- When: Open July 1, 2020; Monday – Sunday from 11 AM – 7 PM
- Details: Splashpad is only open to kids 12 and under. Splash pad is free for everyone to use in 2020. Individuals under the age of 12 must be accompanied by someone who is 16 years of age or older. Individuals that are 13 years of age or older may enter the Splash Pad if supervising children 6 years of age and under or an individual with special needs. Call 614-409-4409 with any questions.
- Additional safety: Capacity is 55; no daycare groups, camps or parties. Household groups limited to 10. Bring your own chair; picnic tables have been removed. Everyone should maintain distance from others.
- Website
photo via Obetz website
Splashpad at Whitehall John Bishop Park
- Where: 4815 Etna Road
- When: Opens July 10, 2020, Thursday – Sunday, 12 – 7:30pm. The person making the reservation must be a Whitehall resident, must show proof of address at arrival, and must be present during the reservation.
- Details: Must make a reservation: 1.5 hour blocks of time reservable for 4 households at a time, limit 8 people per household. Time blocks will open each Monday at noon for reservations Thursday – Sunday of that week. No age restrictions; free to all but the person making the reseravtion must be a Whitehall resident.
- Website
Splash Pad at Plain City Aquatic Center
- Where: 213 S Chillicothe St, Plain City, Ohio 43064
- When: Open and free to the public before and after pool hours from 8am-10:45am and then from 8pm-10pm, 7days per week.
- Details: The Pool is open (registration required) and splashpad will be a part of pool admission during pool hours.
- Website
Splash pads tba for 2020
Polaris Fashion Place
- Where: 1500 Polaris Parkway ,Columbus, OH 43240. In the Polaris Lifestyle Center open mall area near Cheesecake Factory and Cantina Laredo
- When: tba for 2020
- Details: Tons of food options nearby, easy mall parking
- Extras: KidX Club hosts events on Fridays during the summer from 10:30 am – noon with characters, crafts, Sunny 95 and more.
- Website
Easton Town Center Pop Up Fountains
- Where: 160 Easton Town Center, Columbus, OH 43219
- When: Fountains are on, but not operating as a splash pad yet. tba for 2020
- Details: Tons of food options nearby, park in Easton garages or surface lot near Barnes and Noble/NorthStar Cafe
- Extras: Easton provides towels for your kids to dry off on Saturdays (10am – 5pm) and Sundays (12pm – 5pm) through the summer.
Scioto Mile Fountains
- Where: Civic Center Dr Columbus, Ohio, OH 43215
- When: TBA for 2020. Schedule changes are usually posted on the Facebook page. Fountains turn off during high winds and lightening. Typically open April – October.
- Details: Limited food options (occasional vendors and Milestone 229). Plenty of grassy area for a blanket and picnic. Meter parking and parking lots nearby; be sure to check signs for parking restrictions/fees.
- Extras: Fountains are illuminated with colored lights and fog effects in the evening.
- Website
Westerville Hanby Park Spray Ground
- Where: 115 E Park St, Westerville, OH 43081
- When: TBA for 2020.
- Details: In addition to the spray ground, you’ll find a play tower, accessible swings, shaded swinging benches
- Website
North Bank Park
- Where: 311 W Long St, Columbus, OH 43215
- When: TBA for 2020 once Columbus Recreation and Parks reopens splash pads. No specific hours as it’s closed to the public during special events (weddings are held there frequently).
- Details: Small fountain is great for small children. No nearby food options, but plenty of seating and shade
- Extras: Beautiful view of the Scioto River and Downtown Columbus
- Website
Powell Splash Pad
- Where: 47 Hall St., Powell
- When: Closed until further notice. Typically open from 9 am – 9 pm Memorial Weekend to Labor Day Weekend
- Details: Bring a picnic to enjoy in the shaded solar picnic pavilion or on a blanket in the grass. Plenty of parking in the lot for Village Green Park.
- Extras: Nearby playground when the kids have enough of the water.
- Website
Ballantrae Community Park Spray Fountains
- Where: Ballantrae Community Park, 6350 Woerner Temple Rd
- When: TBA for 2020. Typically open from Memorial Weekend through early October from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Details: Bring a picnic and a blanket and enjoy the day.
- Extras: Known as the Dancing Bunnies Fountains, you’ll find the sculpture of the 3 bunnies up on the hill.
- Website
Hilliard Station Park
- Where: Hilliard Station Park, 4021 Main St, Hilliard, OH 43026
- When: TBA for 2020. Typically open daily from 8 am – 10 pm, from May to October, but fountains turn off at 3 pm on special event days.
- Details: Pack a picnic or head to a nearby restaurant.
- Website
Worthington Pools Lagoon Splashpad
- Where: 400 W Dublin Granville Rd, Worthington OH
- When: tba for 2020
- Website
Spray and Play at Veterans Park
- Where: 1121 S. Houk Rd, Delaware
- When: tba for 2020
- Details: Fun dinosaur-themed splash pad with playground nearby
- City of Delaware Facebook page or website
Barnett Community Center Sprayground
- Where: 1184 Barnett Rd, Columbus 43227
- When: TBA for 2020 once Columbus Recreation and Parks reopens splash pads.
- Website
Blackburn Community Center Sprayground
- Where: 263 Carpenter St, Columbus 43205
- When: TBA for 2020 once Columbus Recreation and Parks reopens splash pads.
- Website
Indian Mound Community Center Sprayground
- Where: 3901 Parsons Ave
- When: TBA for 2020 once Columbus Recreation and Parks reopens splash pads.
- Details: Bring a picnic – the park has lots of shade, outdoor fitness center, basketball and tennis courts, and more.
- Website
Looking to swim instead? There are a few pools open to the public in Columbus and Central Ohio.
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There’s only one lised above that restrict age to under 10 (Whitehall). We are not aware of any other restrictions, though we haven’t personally visited all of the options, so they may exist. In general, as long as older kids are careful around young kids and aren’t running around and knocking down younger kids, it’s likely they will be welcome at most (as older siblings and babysitters are often with younger kids). There have definitely been older kids playing in the Scioto Mile fountains in downtown Columbus.
Any water spray for age 8-12??