Beat the heat at the 11 best public splash pads in Michigan

11 of the best public splash pads in Michigan

Kiddos will love spending the afternoon at one of these amusing splash pads in Michigan. (Dodge Park)

By Chaunie Brusie

July 18, 2025

Check out our list of the best public splash pads in Michigan, including free options and the largest splash pad in the state!

As a mom of four kids born within six years, splash pads were once a staple in my life. A high-quality splash pad was an opportunity for me to provide my kids with water fun, all without the hassle of floaties, life jackets, goggles, and the imminent risk of drowning that a larger pool had.

I have very fond memories of visiting many public splash pads in Michigan, and while I didn’t take my kids across the whole state, I did visit enough to provide my assessment of the best splash pads in the Mitten. On my list? Affordable prices, shaded spots for babies and parents, and bonus points for snacks, of course.

1. Cascades Splash Pad

Address: 1401 S Brown St, Jackson, MI 49203
Cost: Regular Admission Rate (ages 4 and up): $2.00. Seasonal passes and group rates are available (call 517-788-4320)
Hours: Monday-Saturday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday: Noon to 6 p.m. (Memorial Day to Labor Day)

The Cascades Splash Pad in Jackson, Mich. is a steal for toddler parents because kids ages three and under are totally free. And kids four and up aren’t high-priced either, costing just $2/kid. All ages can enjoy more than a dozen water features within the fenced-in splash pad on the south side of the historic Cascades Falls in Sparks Foundation County Park.

There are lounge chairs, a patio area, and on-site concessions, along with group rates and seasonal passes for even more convenience. (Call 517-788-4320 for more information.) Wednesdays are Family Nights, where kids and families can enjoy amped-up water fun, thanks to live music and character appearances, along with extended hours from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. And when the fun is done for the day, don’t forget to swing on into the nearby popular Cascades Ice Cream parlour.

Beat the heat at the 11 best public splash pads in Michigan — Water features at the Cascades splash pad in Jackson, Michigan. (Cascades Splash Pad)

2. Lily Pad Springs Pad

Address: 6200 Farmington Road, West Bloomfield, MI 48322
Cost: $4 for residents; $7 for nonresidents
Hours: Hours are by session: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Tuesdays Twilight sessions, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

The Lily Pad Springs splash pad is the largest splash pad in all of Michigan, with over 50 play features, four water slides, and a splash bucket that dumps 55 gallons of water. The splash pad is also inclusive, being fully ADA and Universally Accessible, and offering sensory-friendly Monday play experiences.

The pad features shaded picnic areas with tables, limited to two per family, and vending machines are also available. Food trucks also visit the splash pad on select weekends.

Residents are encouraged to order tickets online. On-site tickets are sold until capacity is reached 15 minutes prior to each session’s start. Non-residents can also pre-order tickets via phone 15 days before they plan to visit by calling 248-451-1900.

3. Mehney Splashpad at Millennium Park Beach

Address: 1415 Maynard Ave SW, Walker, MI 49534
Cost: Adults (Ages 16 – 62): $4; Seniors (Ages 63 and older): $3; Children (Ages 3 – 15): $2; Ages 2 & Under: Free
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Memorial Day through the end of August; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., early summer and later summer

Providing a cool (ha, get it?) opportunity for families to avoid driving all the way to Lake Michigan, the Mehney Splashpad is located at Millennium Park Beach, a sandy beach on the shores of the 100-acre lake. One admission fee gets you access to both the beach and the splash pad, and if you’re in need of a ride, there’s a direct Rapid bus route straight from Grand Rapids to Millennium Park.

The splash pad features over a dozen sprayers, buckets, and splashers, while the VanAndel Beach house features locker rooms, picnic areas, and a concession stand with hot food and frozen treats. Although the rates are affordable, season passes are also available for even more savings and convenience.

4. Jessica’s Splash Pad

Address: 25805 Beck Rd, Novi, MI 48374
Cost: Free
Hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Memorial Day weekend-Labor Day, weather permitting

Families in the Novi, Michigan area will want to add this totally free splash pad to their bucket list. Located at Bosco Field Park, the splash pad is named in honor of former FOX 2 Meteorologist Jessica Starr-Rose, a Novi resident who tragically died in 2018. Her family worked with the Novi Parks Foundation to fund the splash pad as a way to remember Jessica and create future memories for kids in the community. Jessica’s own two children still live in Novi, along with her widowed husband, Dan.

The splash pad is designed to be family-friendly, with a colorful 4,500-square-foot play area with spray park features and a recirculating water system, family restrooms, artificial turf, a rinse-off station, and plenty of benches and tables for gathering. The area is closed in cases of bad weather, and food and drinks are not permitted in the splash pad area.

5. Normandy Oaks Park Splash Pad

Address: 4234 Delemere, Royal Oak, MI 48067
Cost: Free
Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Memorial Day to Labor Day

The Normandy Oaks Splash Pad makes our list not just for the water fun it provides, but also for its connection to the famed park it resides within. The 40-acre park is ADA accessible and features some of the coolest playscapes around, along with nature trails and other outdoor activities like soccer fields. Plus, the splash pad is free, which is always a win in my parenting book.

There are picnic areas and a large pavilion that has restrooms. If you visit and there happen to be no other visitors, just hit the button to activate the splash pad—it’s programmed to shut off every 5 minutes.

6. Heritage Park Splash Pad

Address: 24915 Farmington Rd. Farmington Hills, MI 48336
Cost: Free
Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day

Another great free splash pad, the Heritage Park splash pad is a series of fountains and sprayers open to the public of all ages. It’s located inside Heritage Park on Farmington Road between 10 & 11 Mile and connects to the Nature Discovery Trail and Nature Center in Farmington Hills.

If you want more family fun, pack a picnic and visit the nearby picnic tables and trails for hiking before you cool off!

7. Dodge Park Splash Pad

Address: 40620 Utica Road, Sterling Heights, MI 48313
Cost: Free to residents of Sterling Heights, $5 each for nonresidents
Hours: Monday 12 to 8 p.m., Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Memorial Day to Labor Day

Sterling Heights residents can enjoy this free splash pad, while non-residents can get in on the fun for $5/person. This is one of the select splash pads we found with a water slide too (although it is a small slide, it’s still a slide!). The splash pad is designed for inclusive water fun, with free water-safe pediatric and adult wheelchairs available for use for visitors. The splash pad is located within Dodge Park, which is 51.2 acres of trails, sandy volleyball courts, picnic areas, and a playground.

Plus, the park is located across from the public library, the Community Center, and the skatepark, so there is plenty of family fun available on a day out. If you visit the splash pad, please be aware that bottled water and pre-packaged snacks are allowed only in designated areas, and nuts, seeds, candy, and gum are not allowed.

8. William G. Milliken Waterscape at Clinch Park

Address: 111 E Grandview Pkwy, Traverse City, MI 49684
Cost: free
Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Switching sides of the state a bit, the William G. Milliken Waterscape park in Traverse City is much more than a splash pad: it’s an entire water playscape. We’re talking a rope climbing area, a cascade river, and hands-on water interactive features like waves, orbs, and collaborative play.

Recent updates include an automatic weather detector sensor in combination with a touch activator to gauge weather patterns and increase access for park visitors. The splash pad is also located right by the beach on West Grand Traverse Bay, so you can stroll downtown before or after your visit, or plan a trip to the beach. (Hey, you’ll have your swimsuits already packed!)

9. Blue Heron Bay Spray Park

Address: 3200 Jennings Rd, Whitmore Lake, MI 48189-9510
Cost: $6 vehicle admission for residents, $10 per vehicle for non-county residents
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Located at Independence Lake County Park, the Blue Heron Bay Spray Park provides a great deal for families, with admission based on vehicles, not per person. Just $10 will get you an entire vehicle’s worth of people in (and it’s even cheaper if you’re a resident) to enjoy features like water slides, interactive water jets, and a zero-depth spray pad.

The spray park is best for kids 12 and under, with two zones based on age: a toddler zone that has friendly animals like jellyfish, turtle, and frog sprinklers, and a tween zone with more interactive water features like cannons, a water spider sprinkler, and dumping buckets. There’s also a family zone with water fun for the whole family, including a slide and water tower.

Outside of water fun, the spray park has shaded pavilions available for rent, lounge chairs, and lots of seating. There are also coin lockers, diaper-changing stations, family changing rooms, and a concession stand. This park really thought of everything!

10. Plymouth Sprayscape

Address: 46640 W Ann Arbor Trail, Plymouth, MI 48170
Cost: Free
Hours: 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Plymouth Sprayscape has a whopping 24 spray features, including water cannons, a horse charger, Froggy-o, Daisy Mae, Water O’s, and ground sprays. The splash pad is free, open seven days a week, and is designed to accommodate all ages of play. The city requests that no glass be brought into the splash pad and that children refrain from climbing any of the structures.

If you’re looking for some non-water fun, the park also features play spaces, including soccer fields, playgrounds, a golf course, and walking paths to enjoy.

11. Mt. Elliot Park Splash Pad

Address: 110 Mt. Elliott St. Detroit, Michigan 48207
Cost: Free
Hours: Daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. during the summer

What’s better than a free splash pad? A free splash pad that’s Great Lakes schooner-themed, of course. Honestly, I want to visit and try it out for myself. Not only is the schooner theme unique, but it also provides practical shade on hot days thanks to the “sails” incorporated into the structure. The interactive water park also has “kid-activated” water cannons and wind chimes, all designed by famed international designer Water Odyssey.

Other amenities include a pavilion, walking path, a cafe with food for sale, restrooms, and fishing areas. The splash pad is designed to be fully inclusive and universal to all ages and abilities, while also honoring the natural landscape around it.

Other Detroit-Area Splash Pads

Didn’t see a splash pad near you? Here are some other Detroit area splash pads we found that may be worth a second look!

This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Author

Chaunie Brusie

Chaunie Brusie is a mom of five, a native Michigander, and a Registered Nurse turned writer and editor. She specializes in health and medical writing. Her work has appeared everywhere from The New York Times to Glamour to Parents magazine.

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