Beat the Heat at Philly’s Spraygrounds

Need a splash, but don't want to swim? Hit one of these cooling spots around the city -- no bathing suit required.

June 11, 2017

The sprayground is the water experience for everyone: Even if your kids can’t swim, they all love getting wet.

Philly is packed with playgrounds that feature a water area. Some are elaborate, some are basically a glorified sprinkler. But when the temperature is above 85, anything that sprays water is a welcome oasis, right?

Here’s a list of where to go, wherever you live. Many of the smaller spraygrounds and sprinklers are open only during the week, when Parks and Recreation employees are around to turn the water on and off. The hours listed here are subject to change, and it’s always best when dealing with city rec facilities to call ahead and double-check that everything is working. The city says all of the spraygrounds will be open by July 1.

Public pools will open on a rolling basis starting June 22; click here to see the schedule.

Destination spraygrounds

Dilworth Park

1 S. 15th St. (west side of City Hall)

10 am — 8 pm daily

This super-popular spot features programmable 3-feet-high spouts. Plus, there’s a the Dilworth Park Cafe and the Air Grille (and a Capogiro gelato cart, too!).

Sister Cities Park

18th Street and the Benjamin Franklin Parkway

10 am — 8 pm daily

The fountain area here is smaller than at Dilworth, but kids really love the boat pond, which hosts many more splashing children than toy boats.

Herron Playground

2nd and Reed Streets

11 am — 7 pm weekdays; noon — 5 pm weekends

This Pennsport favorite has a terrific dry playground, too, and draws families from all over the southern part of the city.

Venice Island Performing Arts and Recreation Center

7 Lock St.

8 am — 8 pm daily

One of the city’s newest water features, this “spray garden” in Manayunk also waters the park’s greenery.

Self-service sprayers

These sprinklers must be turned on by visitors, and turn themselves off when nobody’s using them. Don’t be fooled if you walk up and they’re not running — try the button!