Seattle's spray parks keep kids cool — and save the city money
Going to the pool or running through a backyard sprinkler is so 1993. These days, Seattle kids can cool off at nearly a dozen city-owned spray parks — no lifeguards (or garden hoses) required.
The big picture: Over the past 25 years, Seattle's parks department has steadily added spray parks — also known as splash pads — around the city, partly because they're cheaper to operate than swimming or wading pools.
Unlike those water features, spray parks don't require a lifeguard or attendant.
Between the lines: At times in recent years, the city has converted wading pools to water-spray features to help save money, city records show.
In addition to requiring less staffing, spray parks use less water than wading pools, making them more environmentally friendly, according to city documents.
Catch up quick: Seattle's parks department built its first water spray feature at Miller Park on Capitol Hill in 2000, and now operates 11 across the city, parks spokesperson Rachel Schulkin told Axios.
Most recently, the city opened a renovated spray park at Pratt Park in the Central District in 2022 and built a splash pad at Yesler Terrace Park in 2018.
Kids have splashed in the International Fountain at Seattle Center for decades, too — although it's not a formal spray park operated by the parks department.
How it works: Spray park season began on Memorial Day weekend and continues through Labor Day, with the splash pads operating from 11am to 8pm.
Wading pools have more limited hours and aren't opening this year until June 21, partly on account of the parks department needing to staff them.
💭 Melissa's thought bubble: The splash pad at Lake Union Park is one of my local favorites, offering views of boats, seaplanes and the nearby Museum of History and Industry, which make the trip enjoyable for adults, too.
I'm also fond of the spray park at Pratt Park, with its bright colors and playful design, and the one at Georgetown Playfield, which offers shade for us parents.
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