Anne O' C. Albrecht Nature Playscape | Forest Park
This 17-acre experiential play scape is home to several hand water pumps and sand for play. The Anne O'C. Albrecht Nature Playscape is located between the World's Fair Pavilion and the Jewel Box in Forest Park. Note that water features are turned off from October until April.
Citygarden | Downtown St. Louis
Cool off in the heart of downtown St. Louis at Citygarden, which also features sculptures and walking paths. Fountains are on from April 1 to Nov. 1. Citygarden is located at 801 Market St., St. Louis, MO.
Discovery Playground at Jaycee Park | St. Charles
Little ones can make like Lewis and Clark and explore the Missouri River. Discovery Playground offers an accessible one-of-a-kind water play feature that replicates the Missouri bluffs and includes a waterfall and a trickling creek. Little adventurers can also dodge a few jets at the top and bottom of the creek that spray water into the air. The water features are operational May through September, depending on the temperatures. Discovery Playground, an Unlimited Play playground, is an inclusive, accessible playground; find it in Jaycee Park, 2805 Elm St., St. Charles, MO.
Doris I. Schnuck Children's Garden | Missouri Botanical Garden
Water splashes, dumps and flows in the splash area at the Doris I. Schnuck Children's Garden, which turns on its Splash Area when the temperature hits 70 degrees (note that the Children's Garden opens for the 2023 season April 1). Children can jump on jets and anticipate where the water will emerge next. While at the garden, young children will also enjoy splashing in the playful raccoon water feature, located by the Kemper Home Center for Home Gardening. While general admission to the Missouri Botanical Garden is free for children ages 12 and under, there is an additional admission fee for the Doris I. Schnuck Children's Garden. The Missouri Botanical Garden is located at 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, MO.
Kiener Plaza | Downtown St. Louis
Famiies making the trek from a baseball game back to their car on a hot July day have an oasis in downtown St. Louis. Kiener Plaza features a splash pad, as well as a playground, shade trees and more.
Musick Park | Hazelwood
Run through 30 spray heads to dodge or aim for jets of water. The Musick Park Sprayground is operated by guests using a button to activate the sprayground. Musick Park is located at 8617 Latty Ave., Hazelwood, MO.
Sylvan Springs Park | South St. Louis County
With a push of a button, the sprayground at Sylvan Springs Park goes through a random series of spray features. With more than 10 features, kids enjoy running through water arches and playing with water bubbles that erupt from the ground. The fountains operate from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day. Sylvan Springs Park is located at 300 Halsey Rd., St. Louis, MO.
Tilles Park | Ladue
The Spray Pool in the Children's Playground has more than a dozen water bubblers for kids to run through. There's plenty of room to run and play, but it's small enough to keep a good eye on your children. The fountains operate from 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Memorial Day through Labor Day. Tilles Park is located at 9551 Litzsinger Road, St. Louis, MO.
Tower Grove Park | St. Louis
Play in a spilling curtain of water and run through pop jets at Muckerman's Children's Fountain at Tower Grove Park. Tower Grove Park is located at 4257 Northeast Dr., St. Louis, MO.
Veterans Tribute Park | St. Charles
Veterans Tribute Park includes a nature-themed water feature, where kids can play under a large farm-inspired dump spout, which spills onto a splash pad with bubbling boulders. Updates on the 2023 opening date for the water feature at Veterans Tribute Park and other amenities in St. Charles County Parks are available through the St. Charles County Parks' Rainout Line. Veterans Tribute Park is located at 1031 Kisker Rd., St. Charles, MO.
Additional playgrounds with water features
Bicentennial Park in Bellevile, Illinois
Belleville will cut the ribbon on a new splash pad at Bicentennial Park May 24. The Bicentennial Park splash pad can be found at the upper end of the park, which is located at 4811 Belleville Crossing, Belleville, IL.
Creve Coeur Park
This popular park features a spray features area. Creve Coeur Park is located at 13236 Streetcar Drive, Maryland Heights, MO.
Dardenne Prairie's City Hall Park
Dardenne Prairie's City Hall Park includes a splash pad. Shaded picnic tables nearby make a nice spot for parents to keep an eye on their kids while they play. City Hall Park is located at 2032 Hanley Rd., Dardenne Prairie, MO.
Des Peres Park
Des Peres Park is located at 12325 Manchester Road, Des Peres, MO. Note that it is open Memorial Day through Labor Day; controls are located near the restroom.
The Family Sports Park
The Family Sports Park has a splash pad and is located at 301 Obernuefemann Rd., O'Fallon, IL.
Indian Camp Creek Park
The 13,000-square-foot play area that opened at Indian Camp Creek in late 2021 features a paved water play area. Indian Camp Creek Park is located at 2679 Dietrich Rd., Foristell, MO.
Kirkwood Park
Kirkwood Park is located at 111 S. Geyer Rd., Kirkwood, MO.
Koch Park
Koch Park is located at 315 Howdershell Rd., Florissant, MO.
Leon Corlew Park
Leon Corlew Park is located at 333 S Main St, Edwardsville, IL. The splash pad opens Memorial Day weekend.
Sugar Creek Park
Sugar Creek Park is located at 435 Des Peres Road, Des Peres, MO. Note that the play fountain is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend; controls are located near the entrance to the restroom.
Zachary's Playground at Hawk Ridge Park
Zachary's Playground is located at 8392 Orf Rd., Lake St. Louis, MO. The splash pad is open Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend.
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Editorial Assistant Tyne Benesek contributed to this article.
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