Splash Pads in Southwest Michigan
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It might be August, but there is still plenty of Summer left. With the warm weather, we love to make sure our boys can stay cool and what better way to do that than visiting a local splash pad? A splash pad water park is a great place for sensory play, cooling off and making new friends for kids and parents alike.
Southwest Michigan is lucky enough to have a bunch of splash pad options, especially if you are willing to drive a bit to explore ones in nearby areas. It can be hard to keep track of all the options so below, we’re rounding up them all for splash pad fun in Kalamazoo County and other nearby counties in Southwest Michigan.
Kalamazoo County
RIVER OAKS SPLASH PAD
photo credit: byce.com
Location: River Oaks County Park, 9202 E Michigan Ave, Galesburg, MI 49053
Hours: 10am-8pm
Highlights: This splash pad features a section designed for ages 2-5 and another section designed for ages 6-12. The splash pad has in-ground and above-ground elements and is located near the playground.
COST: Free with park admission ($5 daily per vehicle or $25 annual vehicle pass)
Florence Street Splash Pad
photo credit: kzooparks.org
Location: 534 Florence Street, Kalamazoo 49007
Hours: 10am-8pm
Highlights: This smaller more intimate splash pad was recently updated and features a button so families can turn the water features on at their convenience. There are also picnic tables so you can have lunch after play.
COST: FREE!
La Crone Park Splash Pad
photo credit: kzooparks.org
Location: La Crone Park, 535 W Paterson St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Hours: 8am-8pm
Highlights: This brand new park just opened in June 2022 and features ground spraying elements, rotating elements and a shade sail. The splash pad is part of a 5-acre park that includes a playground and plenty of area to run around.
COST: FREE!
Nature’s Playground
photo credit: Kalamazoo Nature Center
photo credit: Kalamazoo Nature Center
Location: Kalamazoo Nature Center, 7000 N Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm; Sunday 1pm-5pm
Highlights: Different from traditional splash pads, Nature’s Playground features a water tower and a stream the kids can play in. Enjoy building forts and exploring the rest of the Nature Center grounds while you are there!
COST: Included with KNC admission - KNC Members free, Non-Members: $7 adult, $6 senior, $4 children 4-17, 3 and under free
Allegan County
Perrigo Plaza Splash Pad
photo credit: City of Allegan facebook
Location: 1 Riverfront Plaza, Allegan, MI 49010
Hours: 10am-10pm every day
Highlights: This BIG splash pad can accommodate 100 people at a time and has fun multi-colored lights that display at night. There is even a sunscreen dispenser in case you forget your own.
COST: FREE!
Wayland Splash Pad
photo credit: cityofwayland.org
Location: Wayland City Park, 206 W. Maple St, Wayland, MI 49348
Hours: 10am-8pm
Highlights: Brand new as of this year, the Wayland Splash Pad has tons of water spraying features including some right out of an animals mouth. Plus, it’s located right next to the playground!
COST: FREE!
Berrien County
New Buffalo Splash Pad
photo credit: foursquare
Location: New Buffalo Township Playground, 17425 Red Arrow Hwy, New Buffalo, MI
Hours: 10am-8pm
Highlights: This nice sized splash pad is great for kids of all ages and part of a park with sports fields/courts and plenty of space to run around.
COST: FREE!
Whirlpool Compass Fountain
photo credit: yelp
Location: Silver Beach County Park, 200 Broad St, St Joseph, MI 49085
Hours: 10am-8pm
Highlights: Water jets everywhere! This splash pad is large and full of jets and canons. It’s also located within a county park.
COST: FREE!
Porter County
Friends Good Will Splash Pad
Location: 60 Water Street, South Haven, MI
Hours: 10am-8pm
Highlights: Right by the beach, water canons, dumping buckets and spray elements make this a super fun splash pad, but the highlight of is a pirate ship replica smack dab in the middle that the kids can play on!
COST: FREE!
Van Buren County
Kids Dream Splash Pad
photo credit: mysplashpad.net
Location: 520 S. Main Street, Lawton, MI
Hours: 10am-7pm
Highlights: Smaller than others, but a great place to cool off with dumping buckets, a spraying frog arch and plenty of shade!
COST: FREE!
