One Popular Pacific Northwest City Brims With Spray Parks And Splash Pads For Free, Safe Summer Fun

As summer heats up, cooling off becomes a major priority for everyone. Sure, you could hide indoors with air conditioning and a cold drink, but what if you want to spend time outside and have fun while you're beating the heat? Well, you might assume the best choice would be a water park, but if you're in Seattle, you don't have to spend a ton of money to cool down. Instead, you can visit one of the many splash pads and spray parks within the city limits. Best of all, because they're free and accessible, everyone can play, from little tykes to grandparents.

Seattle is already known for some impressive public works, from the Space Needle to the futuristic indoor jungle that's both a working office and a tourist attraction. However, over the past couple of decades, the city has been quietly becoming the go-to spot for affordable, family-friendly fun in the sun.

At the time of this writing, Seattle has 11 parks with splash pads and 19 wading pools scattered throughout the city. So, no matter where you live (or where you visit), you're likely pretty close to a water feature. For example, Beacon Hill, the Seattle neighborhood that blends skyline views with lush green spaces, is home to two splash pads and a wading pool.

Over the past five years, Seattle has ranked within the top 10 cities for public park systems, coming in eighth place for 2025. On average, the city invests over three times the national average into its green spaces, working out to about $418 per resident (via Axios). These figures help cement Seattle's status as the "Emerald City," practically overflowing with greenery.

But there are a couple of practical reasons for these investments. First, wading pools and splash pads encourage residents and visitors to use public facilities, rather than fill up backyard pools or spray their own hoses. Since one park can service hundreds of people, that's a lot of water saved, particularly on the hottest days of the year. Second, focusing on spray parks and splash pads helps save the city money on labor. Unlike a wading pool, a splash pad doesn't require a lifeguard or attendant because there isn't the risk of drowning. So, even though Seattle is spending more than other cities on public parks, it's an investment that pays dividends in other ways.

It's also important to note that, unlike other cities that are hot and sunny throughout the year, Seattle only operates its spray parks and splash pads from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Also, not all parks are open daily. So, compared to a city like Los Angeles or Austin, operating splash pads is much more cost-effective in Seattle.

With so many spray parks and wading pools in and around Seattle, it's impossible to list them all here. That said, some of the best options are those where the splash pad isn't the main attraction. For example, if you go to Green Lake Park, you can enjoy time on the beach or swimming in the lake. Similarly, if you head south to Lake Union Park, you can enjoy another small beach and the Museum of History and Industry. There's also a collection of old boats in the water that serve as a fabulous photo backdrop. If you want the newest splash park, Pratt Park was renovated just a few years back.

No matter which park you visit, make sure to follow all the ground rules. For example, everyone must be wearing clothing or swimwear, even toddlers — no bare bums! Pets are prohibited, as well as food and drinks, especially glass containers. An adult must accompany children under 13 at all times, and there's no running or biking within any spray park.

The time of year also matters when visiting these parks. If you weren't aware, Seattle is one of the most crowded destinations on Labor Day, so it's better to plan your vacation earlier in the summer. Also, double-check the park's opening hours prior to visiting, especially if you plan to hit the wading pool. Most splash pads run daily through the season, but wading pools are often closed on certain days of the week.