Spray parks: a summer staple. Perfect for afternoons out or quick, post-park cool-offs. Thankfully, many Seattle-area spray parks have begun to reopen 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.
See also: Wading pools are open: 11 places to dip your toes
Splash away! Here are 15 spray parks to check out for summer 2021:
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 26 to Sept. 2.
860 Terry Ave. N., Seattle
International Fountain at Seattle Center
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. While the site is currently closed for major improvements, there are plans to reopen at the end of June 2021. Please check the Seattle Center website for updates.
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. Open June 26 to Labor Day.
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., mid-June through September.
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. Open June 26 to Labor Day.
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. Open June 26 to Labor Day.
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. Open June 26 to Labor Day.
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. Open June 26 to Labor Day.
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. Mid June through Labor Day.
19408 International Blvd., SeaTac
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 24, 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 June 3 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 June 3 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 24 to Sept. 2.
100th Ave. NE, Bellevue
**Update! As of June 25, Miller Community Center spray park will open June 26 through Labor Day, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
This story was originally published on June 16, 2021.
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