Update, May 27, 2022: 10 spray parks operated by Seattle Parks & Recreation are opening for the season on May 28, with plans to be open through Labor Day weekend. South Lake Union Park’s splash park will open June 6.
Conveniently, they have a Facebook page for all of the latest updates. Here’s a key one: There’s not a start date yet for wading pools and swim beaches in Seattle because of challenges in hiring enough people to staff them. Stay tuned.
Spray parks: a summer staple. Perfect for afternoons out or quick, post-park cool-offs. Thankfully, many Seattle-area spray parks have begun to open again, so you can add them back to your summertime repertoire.
Most city-run spray parks are open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., unless there’s a chance of thunder and lightning, but it’s always a good idea to double-check that a park is open before heading out. And check back for additional park openings throughout the summer.
[ Read also: Updated guide to indoor and outdoor pools all around the Seattle area || Seattle wading pools opening for 2022 || Pools and sprayparks in Tacoma ]
Splash away! Here are 15 spray parks to check out for summer 2022:
Downtown Seattle area
With MOHAI, activities at the Center for Wooden Boats and the best view in town for seaplane-spotting, South Lake Union Park calls for at least a few hours of play. Pack some snacks and send your kids off to run through the sprinkler jets before heading home. Open June 6 to Sept. 2.
860 Terry Ave. N., Seattle
International Fountain at Seattle Center
Update, July 25: The International Fountain is having mechanical difficulties and intermittent closures; check before going.
Built in 1961 for the World’s Fair, the International Fountain is a Seattle Center centerpiece. If you’ve grown up around here, you’ll probably remember spending a school field trip or a summer day running around its huge cement bowl through blasts of water. Last year, it underwent a major renovation and upgrade. Here are some really cool facts about the fountain, including its use of recycled by highly sanitized water.
305 Harrison St., Seattle
International Fountain at Seattle Center (Photo by Jillian O’Connor)
Seattle and Snohomish County
This large park offers welcome shade and a spray park with jets that kids can control. It also features a wooded area with hiking paths and a cool playground — and your pup will love the off-leash dog park.
12718 1st Ave. NE, Seattle
Northacres spray park (Photo from Seattle Parks and Rec/Flickr)
This super-popular Seattle-area spray park doesn’t skimp on water feature fun. There’s a water dragon soaker, power spinner, aqua dome, power volcano and more. Picnic tables and lots of grassy area make for great lunch spots — just remember to pack out what you pack in, as the park has removed most of its recycle/trash bins. Open daily, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., May 27-Sept. 5, 2022.
6705 Puget Park Drive, Snohomish
Everett’s oldest park boasts hiking, old growth forest, an animal farm (closed for 2021), a huge playground, and — yep — a splash pad with interactive water features. Open daily, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., May 28 to Sept. 19.
802 E. Mukilteo Blvd., Everett
Jefferson Park (Beacon Mountain)
Beacon Mountain’s eco-friendly play space features two cool hillside slides and a spray pad perfect for the under-5 crowd. Also notable: the spectacular views of the sound and Olympics.
3801 Beacon Ave. S., Seattle
Jefferson Park (Photo from seattle.gov)
Next to the Yesler Community Center, you’ll find this fun park with its eye-catching play structures and slidable turf hill. Cool off in the spray park’s water jets while taking in the city views.
835 Yesler Way, Seattle
This cool park, with its airplane-themed play structures and superb climbing features, also has a spray pad for post-play cooldowns.
750 S. Homer St., Seattle
This little park is loads of fun: a jeep-themed spring rider, cool climbers and a spray pad that features a bucket dump for super-soaking. Pack a lunch and stay awhile. The park offers both shade and views of Mount Rainier.
1100 SW Cloverdale St., Seattle
Highland Park (Photo from seattle.gov)
South of Seattle
This lakefront park offers swimming, a sandy beach, plus one of the coolest spray parks around. Beware the Mega Splasher, a big red bowl perched 20 feet up that slowly fills with water, waiting like a jack-in-the-box to send gallons of gushing water over the heads of parkgoers. Open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
19408 International Blvd., SeaTac
426 West Smith Street. Fountains operate from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, from the third Monday of May to the first Monday of October, except for maintenance needs.
480 S.W. 152nd St., Burien. July 2022: The spray feature is having mechanical trouble and is closed. Check back for updates.
Check out the water dome, water cannons and fountains, and bring lunch — this park offers lots of grassy area for picnics. Open July 2, 2021, daily 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
12424 42nd Ave. S., Tukwila
Eastside
This fantastic PNW-inspired spray park has large, climbable killer whales, cool “rock” features and spraying sea creatures. Stay for the day: There’s a big playground nearby, plus trails and covered picnic shelters. Open starting May 28, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Labor Day.
999 164th Ave. NE, Bellevue
Crossroads Park (Photo from Bellevue Parks & Community Services)
Redmond Town Center / Downtown Park
Come for the shopping; stay for the splashing. Redmond Town Center’s pedestrian zone features a splash pad along with as well as pavement games and picnic benches. Open daily 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from May 31 to Sept. 6.
7525 166th Ave. NE, Redmond
This park is awesome for both big kids and littles: multiple play structures, biking paths and a cute little sensory-activated spray pad area make Grass Lawn a surefire hit. Open daily 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from May 31 to Sept. 6.
7031 148th Ave. NE, Redmond
Bellevue Downtown Park (Inspiration Playground)
This all-abilities play area feels more like a whimsical playland than your average swing-and-slide go-to. The 1.5-acre park features swings, bouncers, slides, climbing structures and a super-cool “Roots and Rock” climbing wall. The splash area is also a hit — perfect for your pint-sized parkgoers. Open May 27 through Sept. 6.
100th Ave. NE, Bellevue
This story was originally published on June 16, 2021.
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