Best Sprinkler Parks and Splash Pads in Boston
The Canal Fountains are perfect for little kids who just want to get their feet wet. Photo courtesy of Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy
1. Rose Kennedy Greenway Fountains—Chinatown, Wharf District, and North End
Rose Kennedy Greenway fountains, listed below from north to south, are available for splashing through early October.
Canal Fountains—Greenway at Salem Street (North Canal Fountain) and Greenway at North Street (South Canal Fountain)
The Canal fountains run along the North and South lawns of the Parks. These fountains are perfect for smaller children, who just want to get their feet wet.
River Stream Fountain—Surface Road and Beach Street
The bamboo-lined, rocky stream in Chinatown is best for older kids.
2. Dorothy Curran Playground — South Boston
This nautically-themed playground has some of the coolest water features in town: several large seaweed sculptures that spray kids down when the weather heats up. It’s the perfect spot to keep the kiddos nice and cool.
Multiple spray features make the Artesani wading pool a great way to cool off. Photo by anevseev via Instagram.
3. Artesani Playground Spray Deck and Wading Pool—Brighton
The small, nicely maintained DCR playground has a spray deck and wading pool for cooling off. The spray deck is open through early September, while the wading pool is open Saturday and Sunday through August.
4. Ryan Wading Pool and Playground—Mattapan
The water features at this next one are extensive. Not only is there a substantial wading pool, but there are several spray features in the shapes of animals. Ryan Wading Pool is open daily from mid-June to late August with extended hours on Thursdays in July and August.
5. Stony Brook Spray Deck—Jamaica Plain
This small neighborhood spray deck is part of the Stony Brook Playground. It’s open daily from late May to early September. Water quality tests were done daily last summer during the pandemic, and the spray deck operated at limited capacity, which may or may not be the case in 2021.
6. Johnson Playground Spray Deck—Jamaica Plain
Like Stony Brook, this is small neighborhood spray deck is part of the Johnson Playground. It’s open daily from late May to early September with extended hours in July and August.
7. Alfond Memorial Spray Deck—West End
You may not be able to dive into the Charles River, but you can cool down on its shores at the Alfond Memorial Spray Deck.
8. Olsen Swimming Pool and Spray Deck—Hyde Park
With brightly colored spray features, this splash pad is big enough for everyone who needs to cool down on hot days. The spray deck is open from late June to late August with extended hours in July and August.
9. Frog Pond, Boston Common—Beacon Hill
2021 update: As of press time, the city has not announced if the Frog Pond will open this summer.
From late June through Labor Day weekend, children ages 12 and under can cool off in the Frog Pond Spray Pool, open daily at 11am.
10. Splash Fountain, Christian Science Plaza—Back Bay
This newer splash pool and fountain area that includes evening lighting is open daily, weather permitting. The fountain is on the Belvidere Street side of the plaza.
Best Sprinkler Parks and Splash Pads in Brookline
11. Coolidge Playground—Brookline
At Coolidge Playground, water shoots out of what looks like a volcano, which is a big hit with the little ones.
12. Soule Recreation Center—Brookline
Nestled right in the middle of a large playground, this sizable spray deck lets kids cool down in between turns on the slides and swings.
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13. Alexander W. Kemp Playground—Cambridge
This super unique playground Cambridge Common (it’s built of natural materials) has a splash pad and water wheel with attached water tables.
14. Danehy Park—Cambridge
In addition to playgrounds, open green space, and paths, Danehy Park has a large spray deck that’s perfect for cooling off on hot days.
15. North Point Park — Cambridge
The spray deck at North Point Park has one of the best views in the area. You can see Boston and the Zakim Bridge while splashing around.
Best Sprinkler Parks and Splash Pads in Somerville
The splash pad in Foss Park in Somerville features many different-sized vertical jets for kids to run through.
16. Foss Park/Latta Brothers Memorial Pool—Somerville
A large, colorful splash pad with inviting vertical jets of various sizes opened last summer in Foss Park, near the popular Latta Brothers Memorial Pool.
17. Chuckie Harris Park—Somerville
The innovative water feature at Chuckie Harris Park doubles as a movie screen on summer nights. (Note: as of press time, movies are not planned yet for 2021.)
Best Sprinkler Parks and Splash Pads in Greater Boston
The rock features make Beaver Brook feel a little like a natural spring. Photo by aslava via Instagram.
18. Beaver Brook Spray Deck and Playground—Belmont
There are a lot of fun water features in the Beaver Brook Spray Deck as well as a playground and lots of green space to explore in the Beaver Brook Reservation (a favorite for dogs and their humans). Tip: The rocks in the water area get slippery, so have your little ones wear water shoes with tread.
19. North Union Spray Park–Arlington
This multi-use park has a baseball firld, basketball court, playground, and a huge splash pad. Parking is available, and the park provides portable restrooms in the summer.
20. Petersen Splash Pad at Watson Park–Braintree
This 4,000-square foot splash pad provides big relief for hot days on the South Shore. Kids will love the brightly colored water features. The surrounding park has a playground and athletic fields as well as trails and views of the Monatiquot river.
