Spray All Day
By Lisa Arnett
Appears in the July 2024 issue.
A guide to local splash play areas
Splash parks, splash pads, spraygrounds—whatever you call them, these play spots with water features offer a low-stakes opportunity for families to cool off on hot days without the commitment or expense of a full day at the pool or water park. Here’s a variety of venues where you can get wet without taking the plunge.
New Spots
Just opened on May 25, Adventure Falls Sprayground is part of a major overhaul of amenities at McCollum Park (6801 S. Main St., Downers Grove). “We are trying to create a family zone at McCollum where people can come and make a day of it,” says Dawn Hartman, director of marketing and community engagement at the Downers Grove Park District. The renovation project also includes a new concessions plaza, lighted sports courts (six tennis and eight pickleball), and a multiphase makeover of the adjacent mini-golf course formerly called Miner Mike’s. New turf has been installed as part of the first phase, with more improvements to come over the next two years.
The sprayground itself has designated residents-only hours from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily before it opens to the public from 1 to 7 p.m. Admission for residents is $2 for children and $5 for adults; for nonresidents, it’s $10 for adults and $15 for children.
“For older children, we have a really large dumping bucket, a lot of bubblers, and cannons and things that kids can interact with,” Hartman says. “I also love that we have a tot area off to the side, so there will be a nice separation between age groups. And I just think it’s awesome that we will have plenty of seating and covered areas for grownups to sit and watch their kids as they play.”
Free Parks
New this year, Maryknoll Splash Park (845 Pershing Ave., Glen Ellyn) has dropped its admission charge. “Historically, we have always had a fee for the splash park, but we are going fee-free this year,” says Courtney O’Kray, superintendent of marketing and communications at the Glen Ellyn Park District. “It’ll be really exciting for people who want to use that space risk free,” O’Kray says. The splash park is railroad-themed, complete with a railroad crossing sign, bright red train, and a water tower spilling from its spout. The adjacent (dry) park offers boulders, a zipline, climbing net, and a large spinner.
In Naperville, 95th Street Community Plaza (3109 Cedar Glade Dr.) and Wolf’s Crossing Community Park (3252 Wolf’s Crossing Rd.) both feature free splash pads with shade sails and restroom buildings with showers.
Near downtown Lisle, the garden-themed splash pad at Dragonfly Landing (4704 Garfield Ave.) features giant flower-shaped misters as well as an adjacent picnic shelter with a green roof and a dry playground. Take a stroll around neighboring PrairieWalk Pond when you’re done.
At Spring Rock Park in Western Springs, there’s a small splash pad with a rotating water tower in the center (4400 Central Ave.). The adjacent park has some cool features, such as seated ziplines and a mountain cliff-inspired climbing structure. Young train fans will appreciate the location right next to the Metra tracks.
More free splash play areas include:
• Lombard Park District Spray Park
(South Lincoln Avenue at West St. Charles Road)
• McCaslin Park Splash Pad
(27W650 North Ave., West Chicago)
• Phillips Park Splash Pad
(1000 Ray Moses Dr., Aurora)
• Prairie Point Splash Pad
(4120 Plainfield Rd., Oswego)
• Village Green Park
(130 S. Lambert Rd., Glen Ellyn)
• Village Green Splash Pad
(24121 W. Chicago St., Plainfield)
Pay to Play
Ty Warner Park Spray Park (700 Blackhawk Dr., Westmont) is a quintessential summer favorite thanks to its massive size and ample water features, including water cannons, spray spouts, dumping buckets, and mushroom cap waterfall. You’ll pay admission for children only ($5 for residents; $7 for nonresidents); adults are free.
The Harvard Early Learning Playscape at Naper Settlement (523 S. Webster St., Naperville) has a splash pad designed for kiddos ages 2 to 7 featuring a water trough, water cannon, ground misters. Entry is included in Naper Settlement admission (free for Naperville residents; for nonresidents, it’s $8 for kids 4 to 12, $12 for adults).
The 6,000-square-foot Spray Ground at the Hub at Berens Park (493 Oakland Ave., Elmhurst) has pool loungers shaded by oversize umbrellas positioned around the water features, which include spouts that turn on and off via wheels and cranks, and an especially adorable spitting frog. Admission is $4 to $6 for residents and $6 to $8 for nonresidents. Passes are available too.
Photos: Naper Settlement; Downers Grove Park District; Village of Lisle; Glen Ellyn Park District; Westmont Park District; Elmhurst Park District; Jen Banowetz (95th Street)
