Ultimate Guide to free spray parks, wading pools, beaches in the Puget Sound region (greaterseattleonthecheap.com) (2024)

Local conservation experts encourage people to use free public spray parks and wading pools rather than fill their home “kiddy pools” or run backyard sprinklers. Home wading pools use far more water than a public community wading pool. Washington State law require public parks to fill, chlorinate, supervise, and empty wading pools every day.

The following free community spray parks and splash pads offer welcome relief when temperatures soar in summer in Seattle and cities around the Puget Sound region. Kids can cool off and families can enjoy a free afternoon of play. Most spray parks and wading pools are open Memorial Day through Labor Day. Check their website for more details.

(Spray Park grouped by county)

King County spray parks

(Listed alphabetically by city)

Most King County spray parks, spray grounds, and splash pads are open Memorial Day to Labor Day from 11AM-7PM, weather permitting. Check each park website for details.

Auburn Les Gove Park features a spray playground and accessible playground, restrooms, softball field, bocce courts, outdoor fitness equipment, bocce courts, and walking trail.

Bellevue Parks & Community Services There are water spray parks at Bellevue Downtown Park and Crossroads Park.

Burien Town Square Park features a spray park and is a neighborhood hub for community events next to the library. As of May 15, 2023: The fountain at Town Square Park is currently under repair. Mechanical parts are on backorder. There is no estimated date for opening at this time.

Federal Way Town Square Park features a splash park and playground, restrooms, picnic facilities, and basketball court.

Kent Parks Town Square Plaza features a spray park, fountains, and restrooms.

Redmond Downtown Park features a splash pad, restrooms, and picnic tables.

Redmond Grass Lawn Park features a sensory activated spray pad and playground, restrooms, picnic facilities, sports fields and courts, and walking trail.

Redmond Town Centerfeatures splash pad and fountains, benches, and nearby restrooms in the middle of town center near the bears.

Sammamish Commons features a spray park and playground, restrooms, picnic shelters with barbecue grill, basketball court, skate park, and walking trail.

SeaTac Angle Lake Park features a spray park and playground along with restrooms, picnic shelters, barbeque area, fishing pier, and open recreation areas.

Tukwila Community Center features a spray park and playground, restrooms, picnic facilities with BBQ grill, basketball hoops, softball field, T-ball field, soccer field, open field, skate park, and walking path,

Seattle spray parks, wading pools, beaches

(Listed alphabetically by neighborhood)

Seattle Center International Fountain is open year-round from 11 am – 8 pm, but occasionally closes for cleaning—check their website before you go. Children can play in the fountain bowl and venture right up to the smooth silver dome. The fountain is a favorite for young and old. The water is recycled, treated, and is some of the cleanest in the city. Originally built in 1961 for 1962 World’s Fair, the fountain was replaced & rebuilt in 1995 and renovated in 2021. The recent maintenance updated the mechanical elements of the fountain to extend its life so that it may remain an attraction for our community long into the future. The fountain has five (5) water programs synchronized to music, each lasting up to 12 minutes: Welcome to Seattle Center Show, Aaron Copeland’s ‘Billy the Kid,’ Duke Ellington, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, and a mix from Northwest Rock ‘n Roll legends.

Seattle Parks spray parks are open beginning Saturday over Memorial Day Weekend and close after Labor Day. They operate from 11 am – 8 pm, unless thunder and lightning are present. Schedules are subject to change (due to weather or damage to the facilities).

1. Ballard Commons
2. Beacon Mountain inJefferson Park
3. Georgetown Playfield
4. Highland Park
5. Judkins Park
6. Miller Community Center/Playfield
7. Northacres Park
8. South Lake Union Park
9. Yesler Terrace Park
10. John C. Little Park
11. Pratt Playground Spraypark

Seattle Parks wading pools usually open on a rolling schedule beginning in late June. Wading pools are open with an attendant in season on sunny days when the temperature is forecast to be 70 degrees or above. In summer, please call the Wading Pool Hotline to verify hours and open/closed status the day of your visit: (206) 684-7796 or check the Seattle Parks Wading Pool Facebook page.

Northeast Seattle

• Dahl Playfield, 7700 25th Ave NE
• Ravenna Park, 5520 Ravenna Ave NE
• View Ridge Playfield, 4408 NE 70th St

Northwest Seattle

• Bitter Lake Community Center, 13035 Linden Ave N
• Gilman Playground, 923 NW 54th St
• Green Lake Park, N 73rd St & W Green Lake Dr N
• Sandel Playground, 9053 1st Ave NW
• Soundview Playfield, 1590 NW 90th St
• Wallingford Playfield, 4219 Wallingford Ave N

Central Seattle (West)

• E Queen Anne Playground, 160 Howe St

Central Seattle (East)

• Beacon Hill, 1902 13th Ave S
• Peppi’s Playground, 3233 E Spruce St
• Powell Barnett Park, 352 Martin Luther King Way
• Volunteer Park, 1400 E Galer St

Southwest Seattle

• Delridge Community Center, 4501 Delridge Way SW
• E.C. Hughes Playground, 2805 SW Holden St
• Hiawatha Community Center, 2700 California Ave SW
• Lincoln Park, 8600 Fauntleroy Way SW
• South Park Community Center, 8319 8th Ave S

Southeast Seattle

• Van Asselt Community Center, 2820 S Myrtle St

Seattle Parks Lifeguarded freshwater swimming beaches season begins in late June, when the year ends at Seattle Public Schools. It is strongly recommended you swim only where lifeguards are present. Lifeguards are on duty 12pm – 7pm weekdays and 11am – 7pm weekends. King County monitors freshwater beaches for algal toxin levels, bacteria and water temperature.

Seattle Beaches open 2023

• Green Lake West Beach, 7312 W Green Lake Dr. N, Seattle, WA 98103
• Madison Park, 4201 E Madison St., Seattle, WA 98112
• Madrona Park, 853 Lake Washington Blvd., Seattle, WA 98122
• Matthews Beach, 5100 NE 93rd St., Seattle, WA 98115
• Mount Baker Park, 2521 Lake Park Dr. S, Seattle, WA 98144
• Pritchard Island Beach, 8400 55th Ave. S, Seattle, WA 98118

Seattle Beaches Closed in 2023

• Green Lake East Beach, 7201 E Green Lake Dr. N, Seattle, WA 98115
• Magnuson Park NE, 7400 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115
• Seward Park, 5900 Lake Washington Blvd. S, Seattle, WA 98118

Kitsap County spray parks

Bremerton Harborside Fountain Park features fountains, benches, and restrooms.

Pierce County spray parks

Most Pierce County spray parks, spray grounds, and splash pads are open Memorial Day to Labor Day from 11AM-7PM, weather permitting. Check each park website for details.

Puyallup spray park

Puyallup Pioneer Park features a spray park (which replaced the wading pool) and playground, restrooms, picnic facilities, outdoor chess tables, and open recreation areas nest to the library.

Tacoma spray parks

Tacoma Senator Rosa Franklin Park features a sprayground and playground, restrooms, picnic facilities, sports fields, and trails.

Tacoma George B. Kandle Park features a sprayground and playground, restrooms, basketball court, skateboard park, and trails.

Tacoma Jefferson Park features a spray park and playground, restrooms, sports fields and courts, picnic facilities, bike and walking trails.

Tacoma Norpoint Park features sprayground and playground along with restrooms, picnic facilities, basketball and racquetball courts, and skateboard park.

Tacoma Point Ruston waterfront community recreational amenities include a sprayground and playground, bike and pedestrian path, stunning views of Mount Rainier and Commencement Bay, shopping, dining, and more.

Tacoma SERA Campus features a sprayground and playground, restrooms, picnic facilities, sports fields and courts, and trails.

Tacoma South Park features a sprayground and playground, restrooms, picnic facilities, baseball fields and basketball courts, and trails.

Tacoma Titlow Park features a sprayground and playground, restrooms, picnic facilities, sports fields and courts, and biking and walking trails along the shore of Puget Sound in the shadow of the Narrows Bridge. As of 6/17/23, the sprayground is out of order until a new part can be installed. It is estimated the part will be delivered next week.

Tacoma Verlo Playfield features a sprayground and playground, restrooms, sports fields and tennis courts, and walking trails.

Tacoma Wapato Hills Park features a sprayground and playground, restrooms, picnic facilities, baseball fields, and basketball courts.

Tacoma Wright Park features a sprayground and playground, restrooms, picnic facilities, basketball courts, lawn bowling and bocce, walking and biking trail, botanical garden, and conservatory.

Skagit County spray parks

Most Skagit County spray parks, spray grounds, and splash pads are open Memorial Day to Labor Day from 11AM-7PM, weather permitting. Check each park website for details.

Anacortes Storvik Park features a spray pad and children’s play equipment, along with picnic tables, restrooms, sports fields, and basketball courts.

Burlington Maiben Community Park features a spray park and playground, along with picnic shelters and BBQ pits, restrooms, basketball courts, and tennis court.

Mount Vernon Kiwanis Park features a spray park and playground, plus picnic tables, restrooms, a softball field, basketball courts, and wetland trail.

Snohomish County spray parks

Most Snohomish County spray parks, spray grounds, and splash pads are open Memorial Day to Labor Day from 11AM-7PM, weather permitting. Check each park website for details.

Edmonds City Park features a spray park and playground, restrooms, picnic tables and shelters, soccer and baseball fields, horseshoe pits, and walking trails.

Everett Forest Park features a water playground, along with picnic tables and shelters, restrooms, barbeque, basketball court, tennis court, sports field, horseshoe pit, and walking trails.

Lynnwood Daleway Park features a spray park, play areas, a basketball court, picnic facilities, and walking trail.

Lynnwood North Lynnwood Park also known as “Dragon Park,” features a spray park and playground, restrooms, picnic facilities, large play areas for informal games, and basketball court.

Marysville Comeford Park features a spray park and playground, picnic areas, restrooms, and community center.

Snohomish Willis D. Tucker Community Park features a splash pad and playground, restrooms, picnic shelters, and sports fields.