Splash pads, Spraygrounds, and Pop Jets

Splash pads are so much fun! During the hot summer months, we spend a lot of time at them. Who doesn't love that they're free??? To be clear, I'm talking about the free splash pads that are on or near public playgrounds. I realize that some pools have splash pad features and pop jets and sprayers, but those are real swimming pools and they charge admission, so that's a different animal. That list can be found here.

The note "just a pole" means exactly that- it's just a pole that shoots out water. Better than nothing but not exactly exciting stuff.

If I had to rank the best splash pads in the area I would say Route 66, Veteran's Tribute Park, Kades, Edmundson, Sylvan Springs, Vago Park, Citygarden, Veteran's Memorial in Union, Alton Riverfront Park, Brentwood Park, and Jaycee Park are my favorites because of the variety of different water features they offer.

Another option for free water play is to visit a creek. 

1.)Tower Grove Park (city)

2.)Mo Botanical Gardens (city) $$

3.)Willmore Park (city)

4.)Berra Park (city) (just a pole)

5.)Citygarden (city)  

6.)Fox Park (city)

7.)Minnie Wood (city) (just a pole)

8.)Ruth Porter Mall Park (city)

9.)Benton Park (city) (just a pole)
10.)Pontiac Square (city) (just a pole)
11.)Sublette Park (city) (just a pole)
12.)Tilles Park (city) 
13.)St. Louis Place Park (city) (just a pole)
14.)Kiener Plaza (city) 
15.)Strodtman Park (city) (just a pole)
16.)O'Fallon Park (city) 
17.)Tiffany Park (city) (just a pole)
18.)Gateway Arch (city) 

19.)McDonald Park (city)

20.)Mathilda Welmering Park (Affton) 

21.)Tilles Park (Ladue)

22.)Shaw Park (Clayton)

23.)Highland Park (Richmond Heights)

24.)Brentwood Park (Brentwood)

25.)Sylvan Springs in JB Park (South County)

26.)Lemay Park (Lemay) (just a pole)

27.)Bohrer Park (South County) (just a pole) 

28.)Creve Coeur Park (Creve Coeur)

29.)Millennium Park (Creve Coeur)

30.)Vlasis Park (Ballwin)

31.)Ferris Park (Ballwin) (Water pump/small creek feature)

32.)Hunter Park (Crystal Lake Park) 

33.)Musick Park (Hazelwood)

34.)Edmundson Park (Edmundson by the airport)
35.)Castlepoint Park (North County)
36.)Koch Park (Florissant) 

37.)Pagedale Park (North County)

38.)Vago Park (Maryland Heights)

39.)Eise Park (Maryland Heights)

40.)Kirkwood Park (Kirkwood) (just a pole)

41.)Avery Park (Kirkwood) (just a pole)

42.)Meacham Memorial Park (Kirkwood) (just a pole)

43.)Des Peres Park (Des Peres) (just a pole)

44.)Sugar Creek Park (Des Peres) (just a pole)

45.)Pioneer Park (Des Peres) (just a pole)

46.)Villa Park (Olivette) 

47.)Warson Park  (Olivette) 

48.)Southwest Park  (Webster Groves) (Water pump/small creek feature)

49.)Fogerty Park  (University City)

50.)Ackert Park (University City)

51.)Trojan Park (Wellston)

52.)Six Flags  (Eureka) $$

53.)Jaycee Park (St. Charles)

54.)Brendan's Playground in Westhoff Park (O'Fallon)
55.)O'Day Park (O'Fallon) NOT FOR TODDLERS

56.)Zachary's Playground in Hawk Ridge Park (Lake St. Louis)

57.)City Hall Park (Dardenne Prairie)

58.)Indian Camp Creek (Foristell)
59.)370 Lakeside Park  (St. Peters)

60.)Veterans Tribute Park  (Weldon Spring)

61.)Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows (Belleville IL)

62)Bicentennial Park (Belleville IL)

63.)Family Sports Park (O'Fallon IL)

64.)Swansea Kingdom (Swansea IL)
65.)Leon Corlew Park (Edwardsville IL)

66.)Glazebrook Park (Glen Carbon IL) 
67.)Splashpark (Hartford IL)
68.)Central Park (Bethalto IL)

69.)Alton Splashpad (Alton, IL)

70.)Millstadt Pool Splashpad (Millstadt, IL) Costs $2

71.)Waterloo Splash Pad (Waterloo, IL)

72.)Evergreen Park (St. Clair MO)

73.)Veterans Memorial Park (Union MO)
74.)Kade's Playground (Herculaneum, MO) 
75.)Route 66 Splash Pad (Sullivan MO)

76.)De Soto Splash Pad (De Soto, MO)

77.)Turtle Cove at Crites Park (Festus, MO) COMING SOON

Here is my map that shows all of these places to help you find the ones closest to you.

Vago Park, Maryland Heights

Location: 2700 Fee Fee Rd, Maryland Heights, MO 63043

Amenities:

• Three playgrounds, including handicap-accessible play structures and a splash pad 
• Pickleball courts 
• Accessible bathrooms 
• Walking/jogging track 
• Judy Barnett Memorial Scented Garden 
• A fitness course 
• Lighted softball field 
• Three pavilions 
• Multi-purpose court with basketball goals 
• Several picnic sites with barbecue grills 

Website: https://www.marylandheights.com/departments/parks_and_recreation/city_parks___trails.php

Playground ground cover:  Poured Rubber

There are 3 playgrounds at Vago Park. Two are right after you enter the park - one near the parking lot and one near the pickleball court. The playground near the street is in the sun, but there is some shade on the one by the pickleball court.  Between these two playgrounds is a cement frog statue and a horseshoe pit.

This toddler playground is designed for children aged 2-5 and was installed in early 2023. It has rubber flooring, musical instruments, a balance board, slides, and lots of climbing equipment. 

The splash pad was installed in 2014 and is on from Memorial Day to Labor Day, like most of the splash pads in town. It is located between the 2 playgrounds.

They replaced the sand volleyball court with a pickleball court and a permanent cornhole game.

The first playground you come upon when entering the park was replaced in mid-2025. The play structure is huge and has bubble windows, slides, shade umbrellas, drums, a roller slide, boulders, tons of manipulative boards, an abacus, a rock wall, and musical instruments. 

There is an ADA swing and 5 sling swings.

A large covered pavilion next to the playground

The third playground is at the very back of the park, just follow the road until it ends.  This part of the park also has a fitness trail and picnic shelter.

This playground has a modified merry-go-round, an awesome zip line, and several climbing walls.

 Fitness area

Yay for rolley slides! This playground is amazing!