Photo:
Norpoint Park sprayground. Courtesy Metro Parks
On a hot summer day, there’s one thing that’s sure to please nearly everyone: playing in the water. And that’s what free spray parks are all about.
For spray park splashing in the South Sound, here’s our guide. Try them all and let us know if we missed your favorite!
(Closer to the Seattle area or heading that way? Don’t miss our guide to spray parks around Seattle, the Eastside and North Sound.)
Tacoma spray parks
Metro Parks’ 10 spraygrounds, listed below, are open 10 a.m.–8 p.m., seven days a week, May 27–Sept. 4. Check the website for occasional updates.
SERA Campus sprayground: This spray park next to the STAR Center in south Tacoma is the newest and largest spray park in the city. After kids are done splashing, they can play in the STAR Center’s unique Treetops playground, a staffed indoor/outdoor playscape with a huge range of play equipment.
Hours: Open daily, May 27–Sept. 4, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., then weekends the rest of September
Find it: 6002 S. Adams St., Tacoma
Norpoint Park: With landscaped rain gardens, eco-turf and a playground as well as a sprayground, there are many reasons to visit Norpoint.
Hours: Open daily, May 27–Sept. 4, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., then weekends the rest of September
Find it: 4818 Nassau Ave. N.E., Tacoma
Wright Park: This beautiful park in northeast Tacoma boasts an updated playground and an almost 1-mile trail. Explore the nearby W.W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory on a future visit — it’s currently closed for renovations.
Hours: Open daily, May 27–Sept. 4, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., then weekends the rest of September
Find it: 501 South I St., Tacoma
Jefferson Park: Spanning more than 15 acres, this park has a renovated spray park and playground, plus athletic fields.
Hours: Open daily, May 27–Sept. 4, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., then weekends the rest of September
Find it: 801 N. Mason Ave., Tacoma
Verlo Playfield: Have a picnic after the kids work up an appetite splashing in the sprayground. Note, some still know this playfield by its former name, McKinley Playfield.
Hours: Open daily, May 27–Sept. 4, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., then weekends the rest of September
Find it: 4321 McKinley Ave., Tacoma
South Park: The trees at this forested park provide plenty of shade when you need a break from splashing or strolling around the gardens.
Hours: Open daily May 27–Sept. 4, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., then weekends the rest of September
Find it: 4851 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma
Wapato Hills Park: The Skip and Laura Vaughn Playfield and sprayground at this park is adjacent to a preserved open nature space.
Hours: Open daily, May 27–Sept. 4, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., then weekends the rest of September
Find it: 6231 S. Wapato St., Tacoma
Titlow Park: This 75-acre park on Tacoma’s west side boasts a spray park, lagoon, an updated playground, plus basketball courts and playfields. Tip: Come on a low-tide day to inspect what marine life lives in the shallow water.
Hours: Open daily, May 27–Sept. 4, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., then weekends the rest of September
Find it: 8425 Sixth Ave., Tacoma
Franklin Park: This park has a newer sprayground, walking trails and an expanded community garden.
Hours: Open daily, May 27–Sept. 4, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., then weekends the rest of September
Find it: 1201 S. Puget Sound Ave., Tacoma
Kandle Park: This park boasts a huge outdoor pool, a free mini-sprayground, spray toys and a separate spray pool.
Hours: Open daily, May 27–Sept. 4, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., then weekends the rest of September
Find it: 2323 N. Shirley St., Tacoma
Additional Tacoma splash pads
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Kids’ Zone: If you visit the zoo in the summer, bring a change of clothes and water shoes so the kids can splash in the Kids’ Zone Lilypad Fountain. Access to it is included with zoo admission or membership.
Hours: Open daily, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (later in late summer and on weekends)
Find it: 5400 N. Pearl St., Tacoma
Point Ruston spray park: Tacoma’s revitalized Ruston Way waterfront is packed with attractions for families, including a ferry-boat-themed playground and splash park. If you stick around until the sun goes down you’ll get to see the colorful fountain light show which runs from dusk to 10 p.m.
Hours: Open daily, noon–10 p.m., beginning in June
Find it: 5005 Ruston Way, Tacoma
Puyallup
Kiwanis Kids Spray Park: One of the South Sound’s newer spray parks (and Puyallup’s first), this spray park replaces the wading pool that used to be in Pioneer Park.
Hours: Open daily, Memorial Day through Labor Day, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Find it: 324 S. Meridian, Puyallup
Auburn
Les Gove Park Rotary sprayground: The colorful water-spray features here make this destination one of the most popular spray parks in the area. Tip: Les Gove also includes the terrific, fully accessible Discovery Playground and a very nifty crow.
Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., from Memorial Day to Labor Day
Find it: 910 Ninth St. S.E., Auburn
Federal Way
Town Square Park: This flagship community park features tons of fun for kids, including a zip line, a play structure and a seasonal splash pad.
Hours: Dawn to dusk. Call 253-835-6910 for more information
Find it: 31600 Pete von Reichbauer Way S., Federal Way
Gig Harbor
Gateway Park: Come splash and play at the gateway to the Key Peninsula! Gateway Park offers playgrounds, a splash pad, grassy areas, a dog park, restrooms, abundant parking and even a picnic pavilion. You if have more energy after all that, you can find the trailhead to the popular 360 Trails and enjoy some time in the woods.
Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Memorial Day to Labor Day
Find it: 10405 SR 302 N.W., Gig Harbor
Olympia
East Bay Public Plaza: This unique reclaimed water stream near the WET Science Center and fabulous Hands On Children’s Museum has water to spare, stepping stones to climb on and much more. To avoid possible disappointment, check the Facebook page for occasional closures before heading out.
Hours: Open daily, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., May–August
Find it: 325 Marine Dr. N.E., Olympia
Woodruff Park: A fun sprayground was added in a renovation of this Olympia-area park. It includes high-flying water features to keep the little ones cool on a hot day.
Hours: Open daily, 11 a.m.–7 p.m., seasonally
Find it: 1500 Harrison Ave. N.W., Olympia
Heritage Park Fountain: This is an Olympia favorite for wading and splashing. The fountain is occasionally closed for maintenance, so check the website before heading out!
Hours: Open daily, 11 a.m.–8 p.m., from Memorial Day to Labor Day
Find it:330 Fifth Ave. S.W., Olympia
More South Sound-area summer fun: |
Editor’s note: Elisa Murray contributed to this article, which was originally published several years ago and updated most recently for 2023.
