Beat the heat at one of 36 suburban splash pads
The dreaded heat of July has settled on the Chicago area. And as the temperature rises, outdoor activities for families become limited. Rather than confine already restless children to the air-conditioned indoors, take a trip to your local splash pad to cool off.
Antioch Aqua Center
874 Main St., Antioch, antioch.il.gov/departments/parks-department/
The pool has zero-depth entry and a play structure. Hours are 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Admission for kids 3 and younger is free, youth/adults 4-54 is $6, seniors 55 and older is $4 and twilight hours (after 5 p.m.) is $4.
Barry Street Recreational Center Splash Pad
7128 Barry St., Rosemont, rosemontparkdistrict.com/barry-street-recreational-center
The splash pad is free for Rosemont residents (must show proof of residency at the front desk) and $4 for nonresidents. The hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and closed on Sunday through Aug. 11. Hours from Aug. 13 through Sept. 1 are 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and closed on Sunday.
Bedrosian Park Splash Pad
201 W. Liberty St., Waukegan, (847) 782-3300, waukeganparks.org/location/bedrosian-park/
The park's free splash pad is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Labor Day. It's located near play equipment and a basketball court.
Bowen Park Splash Pad
1800 N. Sheridan Road, Waukegan, (847) 782-3300, waukeganparks.org/location/bowen-park/
The free park is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Labor Day. It also includes a concession stand.
Coral Cove Water Park
849 W. Lies Road, Carol Stream, (630) 784-6130, csparks.org/coral-cove/
Coral Cove includes an interactive water playground with a dumping bucket and a toddler water playground with a tot slide and sprays. The park is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free for kids 2 and younger. Residents: $7 for 3 and older and $3 after 6 p.m.; nonresidents: $10 for 3 and older and $5 after 6 p.m.
Deerspring Sprayground
200 Deerfield Road, Deerfield, (847) 945-7610, deerfieldparks.org/parks-facilities/pools/
The sprayground offers slides, geysers and water cannons. It's open from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission to the pool is $8, $5 after 5 p.m., and free for kids 2 and younger.
Dragonfly Landing Splash Pad
4704 Garfield Ave., Lisle, villageoflisle.org/240/PrairieWalk-Pond-Dragonfly-Landing
Dragonfly Landing's water features are turned on at 11 a.m. and off at 7 p.m. every day. Admission is free, and the pad is located in a nature-themed children's play area and next to PrairieWalk Pond. It's open through Monday, Sept. 4.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park Splash Pad
51 N. Farnsworth Ave., Aurora
The park has a zero-depth splash pad with benches for parents. The free splash pad is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Festival Park
132 S. Grove Ave., Elgin, cityofelgin.org/festivalpark
The splash pad is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day, although that may change depending on the weather. The pad is located near a playground, bike trail and relaxation garden.
Fountain Square Park Sprayground
1751 Gibson Drive, Elk Grove Village, elkgroveparks.org/locations/fountain-square-park
The free sprayground is open from 12:30 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Sept. 30, weather permitting. Fountain Square Park also features a bocce ball space, a playground and a bike/pedestrian trail.
Golf Maine Park District Splash Pad
9229 Emerson St., Des Plaines, gmpd.org/parks_and_facilities/splash_pad/
The splash pad includes dump buckets, water cannons, ground geysers, an aqua dome and more. It's also wheelchair accessible. The park is open from 1 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Closes for the season on Labor Day. Free.
Hobson Corner Park Splash Pad
2910 Hobson Road, Woodridge, woodridgeparks.org/park_hobson-splash-pad.htm
Pending weather conditions the splash pad is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily through October. The pad is in Hobson Park, where there are five tennis courts and a baseball practice infield. Free.
Huffman Park Splash Pad
811 Tartans Drive, West Dundee, dtpd.org/location/huffman-park/
The splash pad is located in Huffman Park, which also has a skate plaza. The free pad is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Lake Barrington Countryside Spray Park
23860 N. Old Barrington Road, Lake Barrington, lakebarringtonparkdistrict.org/spraypark.htm.
Located on Village Hall property adjacent to the tot lot, the spray park is open from sunrise to sunset daily through Labor Day. Free.
Lillian L. Lutz Recreation Center
1195 Half Day Road, Highland Park, (847) 432-6355, jcys.org/thelil/
The center has an interactive splash pad accompanied by a heated pool with two shallow ends. The pad is open from 3:30 to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Aug. 26. Admission is $7.50 during the week and $9.50 on the weekend. It's free for kids younger than 2.
Mill Creek Pool Sprayground
39W125 S. Mill Creek Drive, Geneva, (630) 232-4542, genevaparks.org/facilities/mill-creek-pool/
The new sprayground includes a waterslide, a sprinkling flower, spouting ground sprayers, a squirting snail, a super soaking interactive water cannon and a water parrot. It's free for kids 2 years and younger. Rates for residents are $8, $4 after 6 p.m. and $2 for parent and tot open swim. Rates for nonresidents are $10, $5 after 6 p.m. and $3 for parent and tot open swim. The sprayground is open from noon to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Aug. 19.
Moore Park Sprayground
877 Geneva Drive, Geneva
Children can play in interactive fountains, water arches and bubblers and spray water from water cannons in the free sprayground. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday through Sept. 3.
Mundelein Park & Recreation District Spray Park
1401 N. Midlothian Road, Mundelein, (847) 566-8661 or mundeleinparks.org/facilities-parks/spray-park/
The Spray Park features large spraying flowers and a sand play area. Admission is $1 for Mundelein Park District residents and $2 for nonresidents. The park is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, but is closed from 2 to 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 to 7 p.m.
Naper Settlement Splash Pad
523 S. Webster St., Naperville, (630) 420-6010 or napersettlement.org/
Naper Settlement's splash pad is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday and closed on Mondays. Admission is included in the ticket price: $12 for adults; $10 for seniors 62 and older; $8 for kids 4-12; and free for Naperville residents, Naper Settlement members and kids younger than 4.
Nelson Sports Complex Pool Splash Pad
3900 Owl Drive, Rolling Meadows, (847) 818-3200, ext. 403, or rmparks.org/aquatics
The splash pad is situated next to the pool. The pad opens before the pool from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on weekdays and from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on weekends. Free during those times. Normal pool hours are 1 to 8:30 p.m. Admission is $7 from 1 to 6 p.m. and $4 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. for those 4 and older and free for kids 3 and younger.
Otter Cove Aquatic Park
3615 Campton Hills Road, St. Charles, (630) 513-4377, ottercove.org/
The sprayground includes water wheels and a sand play area. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Aug. 21; and 11:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Sept. 3. Admission is free for kids 2 and younger, $10 for residents during open swim and $15 for nonresidents.
Paulus Beach & Sprayground
200 S. Rand Road, Lake Zurich, lakezurich.org/368/Beach-Status
The sprayground is free to children 3 and younger. Resident rates for Paulus Park are $5 for kids 4-17, $8 for adults and $2 for residents after 5:30 p.m. Nonresident admission is $6 for children, $9 for adults and $3 after 5:30 p.m. The sprayground is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Aug. 12 and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 13-17 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 18-19, 25-26 and Sept. 1-3.
Splash Island
1450 Forest Gate Road, Oak Brook, (630) 645-9581, obparks.org/facilities/splash-island
The splash pad in Splash Island features a zero-depth entry pool, slides, interactive features, dumping buckets, and other spray features like bubblers and jets featuring aquatic animals. The park is open from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday. Admission for residents is $6 for kids 3-12 and seniors 55 and older and $10 for adults. Nonresident rates are $8 for kids and seniors and $12 for adults.
Splash Pad
Aquatics Center & Nature Museum, 860 Hart Road, Round Lake, (847) 546-8558, rlapd.org/aquatics?tab=25
Admission to the pad is $1 for residents and $2 for nonresidents during splash pad hours. The pad is open from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 to 11:45 a.m. Saturday and Sunday through Aug. 19. Hours are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Sept. 3. To visit the splash pad during public swim hours, public swim rates apply.
Splash Park
185 Spring Ave., Glen Ellyn, gepark.org/parks-facilities/splash-park/
The park features 12 different spray features, including a water tower and zero-depth pad. Admission is $3 per child with free admission for resident parents and $1 for nonresident parents. Splash Park is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.
Spray Park
250 Library Lane, Grayslake, (847) 223-7529, glpd.com/spray-park/
The free spray park is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Labor Day weekend. It closes from 3:15 to 3:30 p.m. for maintenance. The spray park is located in Central Park near a playground and a disc golf course.
Spray N' Play
951 McHenry Road, Buffalo Grove, (847) 793-0570, bgparks.org/facilities/spray-n-play.aspx
Mike Rylko Community Park houses the Spray N' Play, which features more than 20 water toys and fountains. Admission is free for children 12 months and younger, $3 for children and adults, $1 for seniors 62 and older and for the last two hours the sprayground is open. The hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 7 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday.
Sunny Hill Park Splash Pad
1480 W. Irving Park Road, Streamwood, spdcares.com/parks/sunny-hill-splash-pad/
Sunny Hill Park sits on 19.5 acres of land and includes a skate park. The splash pad is open from morning until dusk daily and has no admission fee.
Sunset Park Splash Pad
5200 Miller Road, Lake in the Hills, (847) 960-7460 or lith.org/parksrec/page/sunset-park-splash-pad
The pad is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Labor Day. Sunset Park also has two picnic tables and a portable restroom. Free.
Toucan's Hideaway & Splash Pad
201 W. National St., West Chicago, (630) 293-6320 or we-goparks.org/turtle-splash-water-park
The adventure playground splash pad is located in Turtle Splash Water Park and opens for pool visitors from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. daily. The pad is also open from 11:30 to 4:30 p.m. if time slots are not reserved. The park opens at 10:30 a.m. to the public and 10 a.m. for Splash Pass Members. Admission is free for toddlers 2 and younger. Rates for residents are $6 for kids 3-17 and seniors 55 and older and $8 for adults. Nonresident rates are $10 for kids and seniors and $12 for adults. Footwear is recommended to play on Toucan's Hideaway.
Town Center Park Splash Pool
301 Columbia Lane, Gilberts
Located in Town Center Park, the splash pool is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. The splash pool is free, but the village asks groups of five or more to contact Village Hall to reserve a time slot.
Turner Park Splash Pad
81 E. Devon Ave., Roselle, (630) 894-4200 or rparks.org/parks-and-facilities/splash-pad
The pad is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily but temporarily closes on weekdays at 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. and on weekends and weekdays with extreme heat at 8 a.m., 11:45 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. for cleaning. It's open through Labor Day. Free.
Ty Warner Spray Park
700 Blackhawk Drive, Westmont, (630) 963-5252, westmontparks.org/spray-park/information/
The park is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. The sprayground closes for daily maintenance from 12:30 to 1 p.m. and 4:30 to 5 p.m. Admission for kids is $3 for residents and $5 for nonresidents. It's free for adults.
Water Spray Park
201 W. St. Charles Road, Lombard, (630) 620-7322
The spray park is open from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Free.
Waukegan SportsPark
3391 W. Beach Road, Waukegan, (847) 782-3300, waukeganparks.org/location/sportspark/
The free splash pad is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Labor Day. The park also includes a playground and two concession stands.
Woodview Park
1080 E. Chicago St., Elgin, cityofelgin.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Woodview-Park-94
The park includes a free spray fountain and two playgrounds. It's open from sunrise to sunset.