The dog days of summer are here, and we are typically in our swimsuits ready for any opportunity to cool off and have some fun in the sun, be it in a pool or one of Jacksonville’s many splash pads.
Make it a summer to remember and pack your days with afternoon dips in the pool, mornings at the water park, or wet-and-wild fun at one of our many local splash pads. Let’s be honest: Summer would be unbearable without the water to give us a break from this brutal Florida heat!
Splash Pads & Parks
Donner Park
Conveniently tucked away just off of Mayport Road in Atlantic Beach, this newest addition to the splash pad lineup is ready for visitors! Donner Park is the perfect spot for your kiddos to play on the playground, have a picnic lunch and then cool off in the splash pad.
Address: 2072 George St., Atlantic Beach
Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens
Thank goodness my children always remind me to let them wear their swimsuits to the zoo! Getting wet at the zoo’s splash pad is one of their favorite parts of the trip! Reminder that access to the splash pad is included with your admission!
Address: 370 Zoo Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32218
James F. Holland Memorial Park
Boasting 11,000 sq. feet, each zone of the splash pad has been strategically designed to represent local ecosystems and wildlife. Kids can run through the multi-colored spray hoops to get between the areas of the splash pad. There is ample seating with multiple covered picnic pavilions as well as a coquina rock retaining wall.
Address: 18 Florida Park Drive Palm Coast, FL 32137
Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park
Hanna Park offers fun trails, camping, and beach access, but we have rarely ever been without hitting up the Kids Splash Park. Open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. There’s a $5 fee per car to enter Hanna Park — $3 fee for military members and those on foot or bicycle.
Address: 500 Wonderwood Drive, Jacksonville 32233
Leonard Abess Park Splash Pad
The Leonard Abess Park Splash Pad is located near Atlantic Boulevard and Girvin Road, and though it might be small, it still offers loads of wet-and-wild fun! Tip: There is limited seating near the splash area, so bring a camp chair, mamas!
Address: 12743 Leonard Abess Blvd Jacksonville FL 32225
Lonnie C. Miller Regional Park
This new splash pad was recently installed and is completely loaded with multipurpose fields, grills, playground, picnic shelters, and restrooms. This would make for a great family day out to beat the heat!
Address: 7689 Price Road Jacksonville, FL 32209
Losco Regional Park Splash Pad
Located right near Julington Creek in Mandarin, Losco Regional Park features a can’t-miss splash pad that overlooks a beautiful pond. Pack a picnic lunch, and make a morning of it!
Address: 10931 Hood Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32257
Murray Hill Playground
Located in the heart of Murray Hill, the Murray Hill Playground boasts a water feature splash pad that is sure to keep kids cool after they have fun on the playground equipment.
Address: 4208 Kingsbury St, Jacksonville, FL 32205
St. Augustine Pier Splash Park
Head on down to the St. Augustine Pier where kids can splash in the water at the splash pad and also enjoy a sandy playground directly connected to it. If you go on Wednesday morning, you can also enjoy the weekly Farmer’s Market.
Address: 350 A1A Beach Blvd, St Augustine Beach, FL 32080
Sunshine Playground at South Beach Park
We love the splash pad at the newly renovated South Beach Park & Sunshine Playground! They have separate areas to splash around for both big kids and toddlers.
Address: 2514 S Beach Parkway Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Wiley Road Playground
Wiley Road Playground is located at the intersection of Lane Avenue and Wiley Road in Southwest Jacksonville. Newer additions include a water feature, perfect for splashing!
Address: 6750 Wiley Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32210
Pools & Waterparks
Beaches Aquatic Center
This domed pool in Atlantic Beach offers year-round swimming. Members can participate in recreational or competitive swimming, swim lessons, and swim clinics!
Address: 297 Aquatic Dr, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
Cecil Aquatic Center
Part of an entire complex (gym & fitness center, community center, and fast pitch softball center), the Cecil Aquatic Center includes an Olympic-sized pool and a smaller instructional pool which allows for a variety of activities.
Address: 13611 Normandy Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32221
First Coast YMCA
Members are welcomed to enjoy swimming in several of their pools on the First Coast. They offer a variety of programs including lessons and competitive swimming, but they also have hours for recreational swimming and play!
Address: Find Your Location
Green Cove Springs City Pool
Located in Spring Park of Green Cove Springs, this pool has undergone renovation in recent years and is ready for swimming! Spring Park is picturesque and located along the St. Johns River. It also features playground equipment, picnic facilities, and a gazebo.
Address: 229 Walnut Street Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
Julius Guinyard Park and Pool
The swimming pool, that was constructed at this park in 1951 and originally called “Blodgett Homes Pool,” is one of the oldest public pools in the City of Jacksonville. The built out park offers a varity of activities that include basketball, baseball, and offers picnic facilities and a playscape for small children.
Address: 1358 N Jefferson St, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Summer Waves Water Park
Summer Waves is just a day trip away with options from lazy laps in the river to high-speed thrills on slides, which is quite perfect to suit every family member!
Address: 210 S Riverview Drive
Honorable Mentions In & Around Jacksonville
- Adolph Wurn Pool — 2115 Dean Rd.
- Andrew Jackson High School — 128 W. 30th St.
- Baldwin Middle/High School — 291 Mill St W.
- Charles Clark Pool — 8793 Sibbald Rd.
- Clanzel T. Brown-Golfair Pool — 4515 Moncrief Rd.
- Eartha H. Napolean Park — 11597 Harts Rd.
- Emmett Reed Swimming Pool — 1093 W. 6th St.
- Eugene Butler YMWLA — 900 Acorn St.
- Fletcher High Swimming Pool — 700 Seagate Ave.
- Fort Caroline Community Center — 131 Ferber Rd.
- Grand Park Swimming Pool — 2740 Division St.
- Jean Ribault High School — 3701 Winton Dr.
- Kennedy Swimming Pool — 1139 Ionia St.
- Lakeshore Middle School Pool — 2519 Bayview Rd.
- Mandarin High School — 4831 Greenland Rd.
- Oceanway Park — 12215 Sago Ave. W.
- Riverside High School — 1200 McDuff Ave. S
- Samuel W. Wolfson High School — 7000 Powers Ave.
- Sandalwood High School — 2750 John Promenade Blvd.
- Adolph Wurn Pool — 2115 Dean Rd.
- Westside High School — 5530 Firestone Rd.
- William Raines Senior High — 3663 Raines Ave.
- Woodland Acres Swimming Pool — 8200 Kona Ave.
FYI as of last week the fountain at the Landing was closed to kids wanting to splash. The security guard said the grate was broken. We were really bummed about it as we go there often. I hope they get it fixed soon.
I’m disappointed with the zoo splash pad. The dolphin statues are gone, so it’s basically just an area with a sprinkler. Also, the ground is slick and I saw several children slip and fall.
Next Saturday, July 24 the landing will be hosting Summer Splash Bash from 10 AM – 2 PM for free water slides, Space Walks, bounce houses, boat rides, water games, live entertainment,vendors, food, giveaways and more! Event is open for ALL ages
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Great list of spots for families to cool off around Jacksonville! With our long, hot summers, having safe water options makes such a difference for kids. For families with backyard pools, this is also a good reminder to keep up with regular cleaning, water balance, and safety checks so the pool is ready whenever the kids want to swim. Jacksonville pool season really feels like it lasts almost all year.