Stay up-to-date with which splash pads are open in Columbus! There are 15 splash pads and water play areas in the city where you can cool off during hot weather! With many pools limiting hours since the school year started, or restricting attendance due to staff shortages, splash pads are the perfect place to visit during the hottest part of the day!
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 2021
Scioto Mile Fountains
Where: Civic Center Dr Columbus, Ohio, OH 43215
When: OPEN as of August 2. Schedule changes are usually posted on the Facebook page. Fountains turn off during high winds and lightening. Scheduled to be open August 2 – September 6 daily from 11 am – 6 pm.
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. Special activities will also be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at the fountain, details tba.
Extras: Fountains are illuminated with colored lights and fog effects in the evening.
Website
Hilliard Station Park
Where: Hilliard Station Park, 4021 Main St, Hilliard, OH 43026
When: Open May 10, 2021
9 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily (closed during events) through September 7.
9 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily, September 8 – 30.
Closed for the season October 1.
Details: Pack a picnic or head to a nearby restaurant. Social distancing required.
Website
Hilliard Station Park
Partners Park Splash Pad
Where: 125 E. Sixth St., Marysville
When: Open daily starting May 29 from 10 am – 9 pm
Details: Every day unless maintenance is required.
Website
Spray and Play at Veterans Park Delaware
Where: 1121 S. Houk Rd, Delaware
When: Opens May 29, 2021
Details: Fun dinosaur-themed splash pad with playground nearby
City of Delaware Facebook page or website
Dublin Ballantrae Community Park Spray Fountains
Where: Ballantrae Community Park, 6350 Woerner Temple Rd
When: Open from Memorial Weekend through Labor Day 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
Easton Town Square Fountain
Where: 160 Easton Town Center, Columbus, OH 43219
When: Daily, 10 am – 5 pm. *Splash Pad hours may change due to special events. Please call Guest Services at (614) 337-2200 ahead of time to confirm.
Details: Tons of food options nearby, park in Easton garages or surface lot near Barnes and Noble/NorthStar Cafe.
Website
Westerville Hanby Park Spray Ground
Where: 115 E Park St, Westerville, OH 43081
When: Open starting May 29.
Details: In addition to the spray ground, you’ll find a play tower, playground equipment, accessible swings, shaded swinging benches, plus close parking and restrooms.
Website | Facebook
Hanby Park
Powell Splash Pad
Where: 47 Hall St., Powell
When: Open now! Open from 9 am – 9 pm through 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
Barnett Community Center Sprayground
Where: 1184 Barnett Rd, Columbus 43227
When: Opens June 5 – Aug. 22 from 12 pm – 7 pm daily. Sprayground may be monitored for capacity and you may have to wait in a queue before entering. In order to take advantage of the great programs and facilities we offer, you must obtain a Columbus Recreation and Parks Leisure Card
Website
Blackburn Community Center Sprayground
Where: 263 Carpenter St, Columbus 43205
When: Opens June 5 – Aug. 22 from 12 pm – 7 pm daily. Sprayground may be monitored for capacity and you may have to wait in a queue before entering. In order to take advantage of the great programs and facilities we offer, you must obtain a Columbus Recreation and Parks Leisure Card
Website
Scioto Southland Community Center Sprayground
Where: 3901 Parsons Ave
When: Opens June 5 – Aug. 22 from 12 pm – 7 pm daily. Sprayground may be monitored for capacity and you may have to wait in a queue before entering. In order to take advantage of the great programs and facilities we offer, you must obtain a Columbus Recreation and Parks Leisure Card
Details: Bring a picnic – the park has lots of shade, outdoor fitness center, basketball and tennis courts, and more.
Website
*NEW* Linden Center for Opportunity Sprayground
Where: 1350 Briarwoord Ave. Columbus, OH 43211
When: Opens June 5 – Aug. 22 from 12 pm – 7 pm daily. Sprayground may be monitored for capacity and you may have to wait in a queue before entering. In order to take advantage of the great programs and facilities we offer, you must obtain a Columbus Recreation and Parks Leisure Card
Website
Splash Pad at Plain City Aquatic Center
Where: 213 S Chillicothe St, Plain City, Ohio 43064
When: Will re-open in 2021. Date is TBA due to refurbishing the splash pad. Follow along on Facebook for the announcement when it reopens (it may be before, or after the pool opens on Memorial Day weekend). Typically 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 Pad at Fryer Park
Where: Fryer Park, 3600 Discovery Dr., outside the Grove City YMCA
When: Tuesday, June 1 through Labor Day.
Monday through Thursday: noon to 8 p.m.
Friday: noon to 7 p.m.
Saturday: noon to 5 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Details: The bright, colorful interactive water play structures follow Discovery Frontier’s space theme and include a rocket slide and a variety of whimsical spray effects with accessibility for all. There’s lots of other fun in Fryer Park.
Website
Splashpad at Whitehall John Bishop Park
Where: 4815 Etna Road
When: Open starting Sunday, May 29, 2021.
Details: The person making the reservation must be a Whitehall resident, must show proof of address at arrival, and must be present during the reservation. Each household will be assigned one (1) table and one (1) restroom for use during their stay.
Website
Obetz Splash Pad
Where: 4390 Lancaster Avenue 43207 Obetz, OH
When: Memorial Day – Labor Day; Monday – Sunday from 11 AM – 7 PM
Details: Splashpad is only open to kids 12 and under. 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.
COST: The Splash Pad is free to residents and non-residents
Additional safety: 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
Worthington Pools Lagoon Splashpad
Where: 400 W Dublin Granville Rd, Worthington OH
When: Will open for 2021; check website for details
Website
TBA for 2021 – expect updates in early May 2021
Fountain Plaza at Dorrian Green (behind COSI)
50 South Belle St., Columbus, Ohio 43215
CLOSED for 2021
website
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 2021
- 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
North Bank Park
Where: 311 W Long St, Columbus, OH 43215
When: 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
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??