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Photo provided by Hamilton Parks Conservancy

Featured Article

Splash into Summer Fun

Cool Down at Local Wet Playgrounds

As the summer sun cranks up the heat, parents are on the lookout for the ultimate cooldown solution that won’t break the bank. Enter the splash pad—a watery oasis where kids can laugh and play to their heart’s content. With colorful fountains shooting streams of refreshing water into the air, splash pads become the go-to destination for families seeking fun-filled relief. Join us on a journey to explore local spraygrounds, where summertime adventure knows no bounds and memories are made one splash at a time.

Beckett Splash Playground

Beckett Park, 8545 Beckett Road, West Chester

Keep an eye out for this brand new splash pad that will be opening later this summer. WestChesterOH.org

Sharon Woods Harbor Splash Pad 

4631 East Kemper Road, Sharonville

Sharon Woods Harbor Splash Pad is one of the most visually stunning spray parks in the area. Nestled next to majestic Sharon Lake, it features water play for kids near a snack bar, ample picnic seating and a large wheelchair-accessible playground with a solid rubber ground. Although the nearby boathouse and trail are closed for improvements this summer, the playground and splash pad are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Enjoying the Harbor Splash Pad is free, but an annual motor vehicle permit ($10 resident, $16 non-resident) is required for entrance. Great Parks also offers two other wet playgrounds to explore for a fee of $6.75 per child: Parky’s Wetland Adventure at Woodland Mound and Parky’s Ark at Winton Woods. Find hours and other details online at GreatParks.org.

Liberty Center Splash Pad

The Park, Sloan Way + Foundry Row, Liberty Township

As the days grow hotter and the sun blazes brighter, escape the heat at the Liberty Center Splash Pad! Located in the central green space of the mall called The Park, the sprayground pad has been updated with new water features and is surrounded by outdoor ping-pong tables and additional seating areas, making it an even more inviting destination for families. The splash pad is button-activated and runs for ten minutes at a time with water-saving jets. Don’t worry if you arrive and don’t see the water running—just press the start button and dive into the fun! Head over to Liberty-Center.com for a list of shops to enjoy in between the splashes and giggles.

Kacie Jane Park

525 W. Lytle-Five Points Road, Springboro

Three thousand square feet of pure excitement awaits families at Kacie Jane Park in Springboro. This local splash pad boasts over a dozen interactive spray stations, complemented by two age-appropriate playgrounds, benches, a picnic area with shelter and restrooms. ADA accessible, Kacie Jane Park offers a haven where treasured memories and joyous laughter are sure to unfold. This delightful oasis was built in loving memory of Tom and Kacie Hausfeld, whose legacy lives on through this vibrant space. Open daily from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., starting Memorial Day and concluding its season on Labor Day weekend, Kacie Jane Park promises endless summer fun for all. Find more information at CityOfSpringboro.com

Marcum Park

116 Dayton Street, Hamilton

Marcum Park in Hamilton offers a fabulous opportunity to beat the summer heat with your little ones. Spread across six acres of open field, the park was made possible from a private donation by the Marcum family and features a mesmerizing runnel, an amphitheater for entertainment and a stunning heart-shaped water feature. This vibrant sculpture was designed by Steve Marcum and becomes a spectacle at night, illuminating the park with cascading water that enchants anyone playing beneath it. Marcum Park is the perfect free destination to turn scorching days into unforgettable adventures. Hours are 7 a.m.- 9 p.m. For more details, explore HamiltonParks.net