Want to beat the heat? Where to find spray parks and splash pads in Sacramento
Looking for accessible ways for your kids to have a playful and cool summer? The Sacramento area is home to numerous spray parks and splash pads for children to enjoy. But before you head over, learn what the rules of these parks are and how
Here’s what to know:
What are splash pads and spray parks?
Splash pads are play areas with features that spray a stream of water or pour water on users. Generally found at public parks, splash pads hold little to no standing water and are designed for children 12 years of age and younger, although there are no age restrictions, according to Pool Fence.
Spray parks are usually larger to appeal to users of all ages and often have separate areas for toddlers. They have a larger footprint with larger water park equipment of different types.
What are the rules of splash pads and spray parks?
Splash pads and spray parks can be found throughout Sacramento County from Rancho Cordova to West Sacramento. Each park may have their own rules and regulations for the safety and wellbeing of children, so parents are encouraged to visit their specific park’s website for official rules. Here are general guidelines from the City of West Sacramento:
- Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
- No pets are allowed within the spray ground and picnic area, except trained dogs for vision-impaired users that must be on leash supervision at all times.
- No alcoholic beverages, amplified sound, commercial activity, glass containers and/or dumping of liquid or solid refuse into the facility’s drains.
How to make a ‘healthy splash’ at the park
Splash pads and spray parks are an easy and accessible way to keep cool during the summer; these areas, however, are not always required to disinfect the water with germ-killing chemicals, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
If the water is not adequately disinfected, germs can spread and make users sick.
To prevent this, some splash pads have a system where clean, fresh water passes just once through the splash pad’s pipes and then drains into the sewer system. Other splash pads that recycle their water might filter and disinfect it with chemicals before the water is sprayed again, according to the CDC.
Here are a few steps developed by the CDC in order to have a safe cool down this summer.
- Don’t swallow the water
- Don’t let the water go up your nose
- Bodily fluids and/or waste should never go in the water
- Don’t sit or stand on the jets
- Anyone sick or who has diarrhea should stay out of the water
- Shower before getting in the water
- Take kids on bathroom breaks or check diapers every hour
Where are splash pads and spray grounds in the Sacramento area?
Many of Sacramento’s splash pads and spray grounds have amenities such as slides, picnic areas and even water slides. Some of the parks may have scheduled session times as well as charge fees for certain amenities.
In Rancho Cordova splash pads operate Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m to 7 p.m. with days of operation expanding to Monday through Sunday beginning in June.
For Sacramento, spray parks and splash pads are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. In West Sacramento hours depend on the season with the first season operating on Saturday, May 23 to Friday, June 12 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Here are some of the parks you can visit:
Mama Marks Splash Pad
- Address: 1140 Roanoke Ave., Del Paso Heights
Gardenland Park
- Address: 201 Bowman Ave., Gardenland
Thomas Jefferson Park
- Address: 1900 Roma Court, Gardenland
Strawberry Manor Park
- Address: 200 Danville Way, Strawberry Manor
Golden Poppy Park
- Address: 5765 Tres Pieza Drive, North Natomas
Magnolia Park
- Address: 251 Greg Thatch Circle, Natomas Creek
Bridgeway Lakes Community Park
- Address: 3650 Southport Parkway, West Sacramento
Heron Landing Community Park Splash Pad
- Address: 11750 Justinian Drive, Rancho Cordova
Stone Creek Community Park Splash Pad
- Address: 33625 Spoto Drive, Rancho Cordova
Sunridge Park Splash Pad
- Address: 4041 Borderlands Drive, Rancho Cordova
The Village Green Splash Pad
- Address: 3141 Bridgeway Drive, Rancho Cordova
White Rock Splash Park
- Address: 10488 White Rock Road, Rancho Cordova
