Guide: Cool off at these 19 Central Texas splash pads this summer

This list is noncomprehensive.

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NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS

1. Brushy Creek Lake Park’s splash pad includes both ground and raised water elements on a concrete pad.

• Cost: free
• Hours: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. daily, weekends only in September
• Dates open: May 1-Sept. 30
• 3300 Brushy Creek Road, Cedar Park. 512-401-5500. www.cedarparktexas.gov

2. The splash pad in Downtown Georgetown is directly next to the city’s art center in its brick courtyard.3. The Falcon Pointe Splash Park in Pflugerville is button operated to conserve water. The aquatic city-owned amenity also includes an adjacent playground for a variety of ways to play.4. The Garey Park Splash Pad has a variety of water features in its 7,000-square-foot space, including water cannons, tunnels, a spider spray and a water mill.

• Cost: free (ages 3 and younger), $2 (residents), $4 (nonresidents)
• Hours: Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-8 p.m., closed Sun.
• Dates open: April 1-Oct. 31
• 6450 RM 2243, Georgetown. 512-930-6800. https://parks.georgetown.org

5. Glenwood Splash Pad is open daily during the summer and consists of ground and raised spray features. The 25-foot-wide splash pad is button activated.

• Cost: free
• Hours: 8 a.m.-8 pm. daily
• Dates open: May 2-Oct. 2
• 101 Fishbaugh Drive, Hutto. 512-759-4000. www.huttotx.gov

6. Lakewood Park Splash Park in Leander is near the city’s fishing pier, lakeside pavilions and a host of other park amenities.

• Cost: free
• Hours: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. daily
• Dates open: April 1-Oct. 15
• 2040 Artesian Springs Crossing, Leander. 512-528-9909. www.leandertx.gov

7. Main Street Plaza Fountain in downtown Round Rock doubles as a concrete splash pad. It may close for some holidays and special events that take place in the plaza.

• Cost: free
• Hours: Sun.-Tue, Thu. 7:30 a.m.-10 p.m.; Wed. 7:30 a.m.-noon.; Fri.-Sat. 7:30 a.m.-11 p.m.
• Dates open: year round
• 221 E. Main St., Round Rock. 512-218-5540. www.roundrocktexas.gov

8. At Rabbit Hill Park a large spider and dragonfly mural makes up the base of this large splash pad. The spider fountain’s spray of water measures over 2,000 square feet.

• Cost: free
• Hours: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. daily
• Dates open: April 8-Sept. 30
• 1109 Blue Ridge Drive, Georgetown. 512-930-3595. https://parks.georgetown.org

9. Spanning more than 1,600 square feet, the San Jose Park splash pad has 15 different water features to spray, shower and shoot water at visitors. It is partially shaded.10. The city of Pflugerville’s Stone Hill Splash Pad is open to children of all ages. Children under age 9 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. No dogs are allowed in the splash pad, although there is a separate dog park.11. Quarry Splash Pad at Southwest Williamson County Regional Park includes slides, ground-based watering elements, and adjacent picnic tables and grassy areas for families to spread out.

• Cost: $2
• Hours: Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Mon.-Tue. (except Memorial Day & Labor Day)
• Dates open: May 27-Sept. 4
• 3005 CR 175, Leander. 512-943-1920. https://parks.wilco.org

12. The touch-activated splash pad in Wetzel Park offers a variety of water elements to entertain visitors. Adjacent picnic tables and a playground are available.CENTRAL/SOUTH CENTRAL TEXAS

13. Bartholomew Splash Pad, which is covered by a shade structure, is located in Bartholomew District Park along with a disc golf course, picnic areas and playgrounds.

• Cost: free
• Hours: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. daily
• Dates open: May 1-Oct. 31
• 5201 Berkman Drive, Austin. 512-974-9330. www.austintexas.gov

14. City Park, a 59-acre park in downtown Buda, offers playgrounds and volleyball courts in addition to community gathering spaces and a splash pad with many water-spouting elements.

• Cost: free
• Hours: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. daily
• Dates open: May 1-Sept. 4
• 204 San Antonio Road, Buda. 512-312-0084. www.budatx.gov

15. New Braunfels’ largest park, Fischer Park, has a splash pad with water features that spray, spout, mist and pour. The water is reused for park irrigation.

• Cost: free
• Hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. daily
• Dates open: March 13-Oct. 31
• 1935 Hilltop Summit Road, New Braunfels. 830-221-4350. www.nbtexas.org

16. Green Meadows Park features upgraded bathroom facilities, a large parking lot, event space and a splash pad.

• Cost: free
• Hours: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. daily
• Dates open: May 1-Sept. 4
• 2357 Green Meadows Lane, Buda. 512-312-0084. www.budatx.gov

17. Liz Carpenter Splash Pad is located in Butler Park in downtown Austin near several city walking trails, restaurants and retail.

• Cost: free
• Hours: 9 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
• Dates open: year round
• 201 Dawson Road, Austin. 512-974-9330. www.austintexas.gov

18. Pease Splash Pad at Kingsbury Commons in Pease Park is centrally located in Austin near The University of Texas campus.

• Cost: free
• Hours: 8 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
• Dates open: May 1-Oct. 31
• 1100 Kingsbury St., Austin. 512-842-9018. www.peasepark.org

19. In addition to a shaded splash pad with a variety of water play features, Ricky Guerrero Park has a host of amenities, such as a park pavilion and a playground.

• Cost: free
• Hours: 9 a.m.-8 p.m. daily
• Dates open: May 1-Oct. 31 (The splash pad’s opening was delayed until mid-May this year for repairs.)
• 1100 Brodie St., Austin. 512-974-9330. www.austintexas.gov