cover photo: LaCrone Park (Kzoo Parks)
Find Your New Favorite Splash Pad Park and Cool Water Playground in SWMI
Summer in Michigan isn’t summer without a visit to a water playground, where kids can splash and spray the day away.
Splash pads are one of our favorite summer activities to beat the heat without requiring a beach trip (bonus: your car will be sand free!)
Whether you’re looking for something near Kalamazoo or part of a day trip, we have you covered.
Check out this list of cool splash pad parks and pools for your family to visit this summer.
2024 STATUS: We’ve added a park status of ✔️OPEN or ❌CLOSED so you can stay updated with the water fun! Splash pads are weather-dependent and often require repairs, so we recommend confirming their statuses before heading out.
In this Article
Splash Pads Near Kalamazoo
Cool off in these local parks- all within thirty minutes of Kalamazoo!
Most local splash pads are free and open from early morning until dusk. Admission prices and hours of operation are listed below.
Florence Street Splash Pad
2024 STATUS: ✔️OPEN
534 Florence St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
photo: City of Kalamazoo
Operating Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Admission: 🆓
Located in Kalamazoo, this splash pad was updated in 2020 with new water features and a rubberized surface. Families can press the button to start the water.
Note: there are no restrooms on-site.
LaCrone Park Splash Pad
2024 STATUS: ✔️OPEN
535 W Paterson St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
photo: Kzoo Parks
Operating Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Admission: 🆓
This splash pad opened in July 2022. Press the button to activate the water feature and start splashing.
All ages are welcome to enjoy the park and there’s even some shaded areas to take a cool break.
Lawton Splash Pad
2024 STATUS: ❌CLOSED ALL SEASON
20 S Main St, Lawton, MI 49065
Operating Hours: 10:00 AM – Dusk
Admission: 🆓
Due to construction on Main Street, this splash pad will be closed for the 2024 summer season.
Maple Hill Splash Pad (Texas Drive Park)
2024 STATUS: ✔️OPEN
6603 Texas Dr, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
photo: Charter Township of Texas
Operating Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Admission: 🆓
This splash pad opened in 2023 in Texas Township with the following features:
💧 2,000 square foot splash pad with 17 spray features
☀ 3 Zones: Toddler, Young Child & Family-Friendly
💧 No entry fees – FREE to the community & visitors
The splash pad is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Maple Hill Splash Pad Rules
Perrigo Splash Pad
2024 STATUS: ✔️OPEN
189 Riverfront Plz, Allegan, MI 49010
Operating Hours: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Admission: 🆓
Opened in 2019, this addition to the Allegan Riverfront Boardwalk includes rainbow-colored chairs along the side to rest while kids run through the long pad full of fountains and squirting water. Try it when the sun is setting to see the multi-colored LED lights.
The splash pad is open annually, from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
River Oaks County Park
2024 STATUS: ✔️OPEN
9202 E Michigan Ave (M-96), Galesburg, MI 49053
Operating Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Admission: County Park Fee
photo: Kalamazoo County Parks
The splash pad is divided between a tot and a bigger kid area, complete with a dumping bucket. When the kids get bored, there are multiple play structures nearby. We love the easy bathroom access for a quick change after the water play.
River Oaks is a Kalamazoo County Park and, therefore, has an entry fee. Passes are available for purchase, and you can even rent the space for gatherings.
River Oaks Splash Pad Rules
Splash Pad Parks an Hour Away from Kalamazoo
Taking a day trip? We’ve found five splash pads that are about an hour away; many of these towns offer beaches to complement your visit.
If heading to the Lakeshore or Grand Rapids, try these West Michigan splash pads for more water play.
Friends Good Will Splash Pad (South Haven)
2024 STATUS: UNCONFIRMED
60 Water St, South Haven, MI 49090
Operating Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Admission: 🆓
This splash pad opened in 2020 and is modeled after the Michigan Maritime Museum’s tall ship, Friends Good Will. It is located near South Beach along the channel. Picnic tables and modern restrooms are nearby.
~ Things to Do in South Haven
New Buffalo Splash Pad
2024 STATUS: ✔️OPEN
17425 Red Arrow Hwy, New Buffalo, MI 49117
Operating Hours: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Admission: 🆓
This park is an ideal area for kids to get wet and then head next door to the rubber-floor playground, which is full of play components to jump and climb through.
Afterward, head down one of the trails with educational signs and learn about local trees.
Spray Plaza (Hastings)
2024 STATUS: ✔️OPEN
100-150 N Church St, Hastings, MI 49058
photo: City of Hastings
Operating Hours: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Admission: 🆓
Located in downtown Hastings on Church Street, Spray Plaza is the perfect place for little feet to run around on the pavement, splashing as they go. To activate the jets, look for a button similar to what you press for a crosswalk. Kids can splash while parents and caregivers sit on the benches by a beautiful mural.
Restrooms are conveniently located nearby.
Wayland City Park Splash Pad
2024 STATUS: ✔️OPEN
206 W Maple St, Wayland, MI 49348
photo: City of Wayland
Operating Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Admission: 🆓
The splash pad park is full of adorable squirting animals and hoops to run under that provide and fun and gentle spray. It’s easy to spend a couple of hours running back and forth between the playground and the splash pad, which are right next to each other.
Wayland’s Splash Pad Rules
Whirlpool Compass Fountain (St. Joe)
2024 STATUS: ✔️OPEN
200 Broad St, St. Joseph, MI 49085
Operating Hours: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM (May 6 – Friday before Memorial Day), 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Memorial Day Weekend – Labor Day)
Admission: 🆓
It’s hard to miss one of St. Joseph’s most appealing features since it sits across from the Silver Beach Carousel and the Curious Kids’ Discovery Zone Museum. With Lake Michigan’s impressive backdrop, the spray from this fountain on a breezy day is enough to cool down anyone within a fifty-foot radius.
Head to the beach after, only a few minutes walk west.
Pools & Other Outdoor Water Play
If a splash pad isn’t what your family is looking for, there are a number of other cool options to have fun in the water.
Whether it be in a pool, jetting down a waterslide, or in a kayak – your family will be sure to have a splashing good time.
Children’s Nature Playscape on Bronson Park
2024 STATUS:✔️OPEN
302 Academy St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
photo: Children’s Nature Playscape on Bronson Park
Operating Hours: Mon, Tues, Thur & Fri: 9:00 AM -12:00 PM & 3:00 PM- 6:00 PM, Sat: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Summer Operating Season: June 1 – September 1, 2024
Admission: 🆓
Visit this playscape during the week to explore nature and splash around in the stream. Unstructured play is encouraged here! You’ll love the natural elements and the park-like setting.
There will be events throughout the summer, and you can find those on their calendar.
Note: Unlike traditional playgrounds, this playscape is staffed and, therefore, only open during specific days and times.
Flash Flood Water Park
2024 STATUS: ✔️OPEN
35 Hamblin Ave, Battle Creek, MI 49017
Operating Season: Memorial Day Weekend – Labor Day (Closed May 28 – 31, 2024)
Admission: $12/person. Ages 2 & Under are free.
This water wonderland has two water slides, a zero-entry pool, and a smaller water play area. Admission also includes access to the indoor pool with tipping buckets.
Concessions are available for lunch and other snack items.
Great Lake Gardens (Frederik Meijer Gardens)
2024 STATUS: ✔️OPEN
1000 E Beltline Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Meijer Gardens’ children’s area has the Great Lakes Garden in which kids can launch boats, build a bridge, and walk on all of the Great Lakes States. They also have a mini fountain area where kids can take off their shoes and enjoy the cold water on their toes.
Kik Pool
2024 STATUS:❌CLOSED (OPENS WED, JUNE 5)
1018 Walter St, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
Operating Season: June 5 – August 11, 2024
Admission: $7 Adults, $4 Youth. Ages 2 & Under are free. Season Passes are also available.
This is a community pool located in downtown Kalamazoo that offers daily open swim options.
Head to the pool with your family after lunch. From 11:15 AM to 1:30 PM, there’s a lap swim for adults 18 and older.
Kids can take a break from swimming and hit the “Boundless Playground” at Upjohn Park.
Nature’s Playground (Kalamazoo Nature Center)
2024 STATUS: ✔️OPEN
7000 N Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Operating Season: May through September, 2024.
Temperature Note: The water features are only turned on when the temperatures are 50 degrees or warmer.
Admission: $7 Adults, $6 Seniors, $4 Youth. Ages 3 & Under are free.
KNC has a natural playground with a water feature that encourages kids to wade through the stream and play in the sand.
Nature’s Playground is open during KNC grounds hours and is included in regular KNC admission. Water Tower and restrooms are available during Visitor Center hours from May through September, as weather permits.
~ Kalamazoo Nature Center Trip Planner
Hawk Island Beach and Splash Pad
2024 STATUS: ✔️OPEN
71601 E Cavanaugh Rd, Lansing, MI 48910
Splash Pad Operating Hours: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
This water and play oasis is located just an hour’s drive away in Lansing. A sandy beach, an enclosed large splash pad park, boat rentals, a concessions stand, trails for hiking and biking, and a large playground await.
~ Hawk Island Guide
Kayaking & Tubing
Locations across SWMI
Try our list for kayaking, canoeing and tubing in the greater Kalamazoo area. Most facilities open for the season during Memorial Day weekend.
Splash Pads Map
More to Explore
