Wichita’s newest trending attraction during the summer months is splash parks (aka water playgrounds, splash pads, or play fountains). They are cost-effective and require less maintenance. Therefore, several have popped up in the past few years, funded by the city. In fact, a few run-down city pools in the area have now been replaced with splash parks because of just that reason.
Our family has visited several of these water playgrounds over the past few summers. They’re perfect for a fun, spontaneous (and FREE) summer outing when the kids need something to do. Tip: water shoes are a good idea to avoid slipping and/or stepping in (or on) something you’d rather not.
Most of the splash pads are usually open by Memorial Day, but the open dates and hours will vary from park to park. For the past several years, the city has even kept them open until the first week of October.
Buffalo Park Water Playground
10201 Hardtner Road, Wichita KS
The splash pad at Buffalo Park is lots of fun. This prairie-themed water playground has native limestone, sculptural grass-like overhead sprayers and an assortment of ground jets. A buffalo head sculpture that sprays and mists water welcomes patrons to the plaza, which has a colored concrete pattern inspired by the grass seeds of the prairie. Native grasses surround the area. In addition to the fun water spray area, Buffalo park has an outdoor open shelter and picnic tables, a circular drop-off area, and restrooms.*Note that half of the shelter can be rented out on the weekends so please make sure you park your items on the other side if it seems that there is a party going on in the other side.
Osage Splash Park
2121 W. 31st Street South, Wichita KS
One of the motr impressive splash parks in Wichita, this interactive fountain features playful creatures spouting water and colorful rings to run through. Lots of opportunity for cute photos opps of your kiddos as they run around. Fountains are open in the summer from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Riverside Central Park Water Playground
720 Nims, Wichita KS
In the heart of Wichita, this fountain is near the free wildlife exhibit in Riverside Park.
Picnic tables surrounding the area and frequently shaded to allow you to take a break from the heat. Spray fountains are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily during the summer.
Evergreen Park Splash Pad
2700 Woodland N, Wichita, KS
This new splashpad gives off aztec vibes or flashbacks to the 90’s Nickelodeon show Legends of the Hidden Temple (who remembers this show?!). A little on the smaller side so I suggest trying to avoid this location on the weekends.
Old Town Plaza Spray Park
301 N. Mead, Wichita KS
These fountains are in the center of Old Town Square in downtown Wichita. Being that this is in the middle of the city plaza this is not a location where you camp out for very long, nor is it a location to where swimming suits. It is, however, a fun area for kids to run through a few times to cool off in the heat of summer. The Old Town fountain is open from 10 a.m. to noon daily.
Lincoln Park Water Playground
1323 S. Topeka
This park’s splash pad is really more of a small area with interactive fountains spraying from the concrete floor. Great fun for kiddos to run through as they are playing on the playground but not a place I suggest venturing to with swim getups and water toys.
Linwood South Park – Closed for the Season
1901 S Kansas, Wichita KS
This splash park is one that the city replaces a run-down city pool with. This splash park is much more than just a few fountains shooting water out of the ground. It has really cool water features, bright play equipment, and lots of shade. I highly recommend visiting this one, this summer!
Tanganyika Falls Splash Park
Location: 1000 S Hawkins Ln, Goddard, KS 67052
Tanganyika Wildlife Park’s new splash pad opened in 2020 for season pass-holders and paying visitors. *NOTE It had received complaints in the past for the water not being clean and containing bacteria but they made strong efforts to eliminate this issue as of 2021. This splash park is quite impressive containing multiple tall fountains, water buckets, and ground bubble fountains. If you plan to visit Tanganyika this summer, I suggest having your kiddos spend some time cooling off in this new park feature!
Fairmount Splash Park
Location: 1647 N. Yale St. Wichita, KS 67218
This splash park seems to be a carbon copy of the Osage feature. It also has impressive creature splash fountain features and colorful rings to run through. Again, lots of opportunity for cute photos opps of your kiddos as they run around. Fountains are open in the summer from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
New Market Square Fountains
21st Street North & Maize Road
These fountains are in front of Old Navy/Dress Barn, and are usually on every day from approximately 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., off during inclement weather.
Edgemoor Splash Park
Location: 5815 E 9th St N, Wichita, KS
The old Edgemoor Park pool was turned into a new water playground/splash park in the city of Wichita. It opened for the first time in summer 2021! Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily during the summer.
Boston Park Splash Pad
Location: 6655 E. Zimmerly St., Wichita KS
This splash pad has a fun aviation theme with many tall pole fountains and small bubble fountains from the ground. Next to the fountains is a nice patch of turf, great for sun bathing after having been soaking wet.
Maize Splash Pad
401 Khedive, Maize KS
This splash pad in located in Maze Ks. There are picnic tables, benches, and awnings for some shade. In 2022, the city added new picnic tables under new awings to expand the splashpad park! It is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. throughout the summer. If you get there and the water isn’t on, look for a button on a pole. That starts it going!
Andover 13th Street Sports Park
Location: 1008 E 13th St, Andover, KS 67002
Rather than a splash park, Andover’s 13th Street Sports Park has a playground with fun water toys to provide a cooling spray during the summer season.
Derby’s Madison Avenue Central Park
Location: 512 E. Madison Ave., Derby KS
Derby has a free splash pad in Madison Avenue Central Park, with shaded seating areas and an all-access playground nearby.
Haysville Splash Pad
Location: 525 Sarah Ln, Haysville, KS
The splash pad in Haysville is just outside the swimming pool area. It opens in May and usually remains open until October. Hours: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Lights go on automatically 9:15 p.m. 525
Valley Center Splash Pad
Location: 716 McLaughlin, Valley Center KS
Valley Center has a free splash pad in McLaughlin Park. The Splash Pad opens sometime in May, on or before Memorial Day. Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday.
Augusta KS Splash Pad
Location: 2923 Ohio St. #2829, Augusta KS
The Augusta splash pad is near Augusta City Lake and – like the nearby playground – has a fairy tale theme. It definitely seems worth the trip to allow your little one to explore!
Hutchison Water Parks
Avenue A Water Park
Location: corner of Washington Street and Avenue A in downtown Hutchinson
Fairgrounds
Location: Severance Street between 17th and 23rd.Hutchinson KS.
Rice Park Splash Pad
Location: 2112 N. Hendricks
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