When the temperature rises, there’s nothing like jumping through a sprinkler to cool off. These splash pads in Long Island take a lot less preparation than a trip to the beach: Just add sunscreen and let the adventures begin.
For other seasonal, kid-friendly activities, check out our Summer Fun Guide and our recommendations for the best beach playgrounds on Long Island.
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Public Splash Pads on Long Island
1. Bay Park – East Rockaway
Bay Park combines a playground with its sprinkler area, so there’s no need to dry off or change between splashing and climbing on the monkey bars. The playground, pool, and picnic areas are in great condition after upgrades in recent years. FREE
2. Eisenhower Park – East Meadow
Field 2 of Eisenhower Park offers a playground with a sprinkler area and a splash pool. Enjoy the park’s other amenities and then cool off in the sprinklers when temperatures rise. FREE
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The interactive sprayground at Blumenfeld Family Park is a kid-friendly addition to Port Washington’s downtown. Photo courtesy of the Town of North Hempstead
3. Blumenfeld Family Park – Port Washington
The spray park area at Blumenfeld Family Park is on the smaller side, but it keeps kids entertained and cooled off during an afternoon visit. Sprinklers require kids to push buttons to start the water spray. The giant mushroom fountains are large and ready to douse kids with a cascade of water. FREE
4. Clark Street Playground – Long Beach
The sprinkler area at Clark Street playground sits on a rubber surface, so even the youngest kids can join the fun. Rings spray out water that kids can run through. Water sprays from above, and fountains shoot up. Aqua shoes are optional but handy to have when kids want to go from the sprinklers to the playground. The adjacent playground is popular, too, with its modern equipment, rope climbing tower, and shady benches and tables. FREE
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Splash amid the sprinklers at Cantiague Park. Photo courtesy of Long Island Playgrounds
5. Cantiague Park – Hicksville
Cantiague Park is a one-stop park that has it all. The swimming facility includes a kiddie pool and an interactive sprinkler play area for younger kids. There’s an Olympic-sized pool, diving pool, and two water slides for older kids and adults. Fees vary for Nassau County residents and nonresidents but are generally $6-$20 per child and $10-$25 per adult.
6. Centereach Pool – Centereach
The pool complex in Centereach has a big, twisting water slide that older kids enjoy. The sprinkler area is perfect for younger children and includes arch sprayers, a dumping bucket, water spouts, and a tractor that spouts water. There are plenty of lounge chairs within the pool area. Fees for Town of Brookhaven residents range from $3-$6. The fee for nonresident children is $12; nonresident adults are $20.
The state-of-the-art sprayground in Rockville Centre includes smart playground compatibility. Photo by Natalie Ferro Aurigema
7. Children’s Park – Rockville Centre
The Children’s Park is a state-of-the-art facility that includes a user-activated sprayground that shuts down when not in use. Seven spouts blast water throughout the play area, which is situated next to a smart playground, where children and adults can download apps on their smartphones and tablets to enjoy stories and activities. The park is open to the public. FREE
8. Grant Park – Hewlett
This 35-acre park offers a splash pad, as well as roller and ice hockey rinks. While the sprinkler area is basic, it doesn’t take much for kids to have fun—just add water. FREE
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Jones Beach has it all—a splash pad, beach, WildPlay, and a pool. Photo by Rebekah Yahoves
9. Jones Beach Splash Pad – Wantagh
Designed to look like blades of grass blowing on a dune, this sprayground is a perfect addition to Jones Beach. Located next to the Boardwalk Cafe, its convenient location makes it an easy stop during a beach day. Kids push buttons that shoot water out of the large, blade-like structures, and the water sprays for 6 minutes. When another child presses the button, the water comes out in a different pattern. Access to the splash pad is FREE, but parking at Jones Beach is $10 for those without an Empire Pass.
10. Wantagh Park – Wantagh
The swimming complex at Wantagh Park includes an Olympic-sized pool, kiddie pool, training pool, two large water slides, and a spray pool. The spray pool’s multilevel structure has many interactive elements to keep kids busy, but the pool is just 1-foot deep. Fees for Nassau County residents range from $6 for children ages 4-17 to $10 for adults 18+. A Nassau Leisure Pass is required to receive the resident rate. The nonresident fee is $20 per child and $25 for adults. There is also a $10 parking fee for nonresidents.
Enjoy pirate-themed water fun at Shipwreck Cove Spray Park. Photo courtesy of the Bay Shore Chamber of Commerce
11. Shipwreck Cove Spray Park – Bay Shore
Located next to the marina, Shipwreck Cove Spray Park is ideal for cooling off on a summer day. There’s a large play structure with several slides, sprayers, and a rope climb. The giant dumping water bucket sends kids into a frenzy every time. The pool is shallow, so it’s perfect for toddlers. FREE with a pool membership. $10 per person for Town of Islip residents; nonresidents pay $12.
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Town of Babylon residents can cool off at Phelps Lane Park’s interactive spray pool. Photo courtesy of Town of Babylon
Resident-Only Splash Pads
12. Phelps Lane Pool – North Babylon
Phelps Lane Park offers many amenities to Town of Babylon residents. There is a pool with two water slides, a concession area, lounge chairs and, of course, a sprinkler pool. The sprinkler pool has a large play structure with a rope bridge, water slide, dumping bucket, and more. There is also an umbrella waterfall where younger kids can play. It is limited to Town of Babylon residents with a pool plan. Residents without a pool plan can pay $7 for entry.
13. Tobay Beach – Massapequa
The sprayground was updated after Superstorm Sandy, complete with a new snack shack and a separate picnic area near the sprinklers. The sprinkler area has low-depth water with spray arches, dumping buckets, and always-popular water cannons. Seasonal stickers are for residents only and cost $60. Daily passes are $20; a Town of Oyster Bay resident must be present in the vehicle and show a driver’s license.
Kids will be thrilled to explore the rainbow arches at the sprinkler park at Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve. Photo courtesy of Hoyt Farm
14. Hoyt Farm Nature Preserve – Commack
Hoyt Farm is nestled in a nature preserve that features farm animals, walking trails, two playgrounds, and a sprinkler park that’s open in the summer. The sprinkler park has multiple sprayers, rainbow arches that kids can run through, and dumping buckets. It is limited to Town of Smithtown residents with a residency sticker.
15. Sgt. Paul Tuozzolo Memorial Spray Park – Huntington
This sprayground features lots of interactive play for kids. Little ones can use point-and-shoot cannons or push-activated buttons to spritz water. Kids can also dash through a series of rings for a car wash effect. Starting June 28, children with special needs have exclusive use of the spray park from 10-11am Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The park is open to Town of Huntington residents with resident recreation photo ID cards and their guests.
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It’s wet-and-wild fun for all ages at Tanner Park’s interactive sprinkler park in Copiague. Photo courtesy of the Town of Babylon
16. Tanner Park – Copiague
This interactive sprinkler park is part of a large complex right on Great South Bay. The sprinkler area has plenty of sprayers, as well as a tree that spouts water and a mini water slide. The playground at Tanner Park is huge and also worth a visit. Use is limited to Town of Babylon residents with a recreation permit.
17. Geiger Park – Deer Park
One of the newer sprinkler parks on Long Island, Geiger Park’s sprinkler area features a tree-of-life theme. Bridges connect two large, artificial trees with water slides and climbing structures. More than 20 play elements keep kids entertained, including water cannons, spider and snake water-play features, spiraling slides, and an area for smaller kids. Entrance is limited to Town of Babylon residents with a pool plan; a $5 resident entrance fee is required without the pool plan.
18. Venetian Shores Park – Lindenhurst
Venetian Shores Park sits on Great South Bay. The sprinkler area is right by the beach, so kids can enjoy the best of both worlds on a hot summer day. When kids are done playing on the two playgrounds, they can splash around in the sprinkler park with water cannons, a water-spraying octopus, dumping buckets, and a mushroom waterfall. The facility is open to Town of Babylon residents who have a recreation permit.
A version of this article was first published in 2014. Additional reporting by Gina Massaro.
