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, 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.)Vago Park (Maryland Heights)

38.)Eise Park (Maryland Heights)

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

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

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

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

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

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

45.)Villa Park (Olivette) 

46.)Warson Park (Olivette) 

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

48.)Fogerty Park (University City)

49.)Ackert Park (University City)

50.)Trojan Park (Wellston)

51.)Six Flags (Eureka) $$

52.)Jaycee Park (St. Charles)

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

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

56.)City Hall Park (Dardenne Prairie)

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

59.)Veterans Tribute Park (Weldon Spring)

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

61.)Bicentennial Park (Belleville IL)

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

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

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

68.)Alton Splashpad (Alton, IL)

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

70.)Waterloo Splash Pad (Waterloo, IL)

71.)Evergreen Park (St. Clair MO)

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

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

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

Vlasis Park, Ballwin

Location: 300 Park Dr, Ballwin, MO 63011

Amenities: Vlasis Park covers 31 acres and features a baseball diamond, a playground, four tennis courts, restrooms, two ponds (one of which is stocked with fish), two pavilions, a walking path, and a sand volleyball court.

Website: https://www.ballwin.mo.us/About-Our-Parks/

Playground ground cover: Poured rubber and astroturf

This park features a huge playground, with areas for toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children. The playground and splashpad were redone in late 2024 and the new playground is just incredible. 

Old playground

I love that they added this new restroom building right next to the playground because the old playground didn't have a restroom nearby. It was all the way up the hill and not convenient. That one is still there but it's nice that they have this new one too. 

Sensory area with musical instruments, instrument boards, and more. 

Tilt this to make the balls move through the maze

There is an astroturf area with swings, a boulder, and a small webbed climber. 

There are 4 sling swings, an ADA swing, and a modified expression swing. 

Modified merry-go-round

The new 3 story play structure has lots of slides, ramps, a rock wall, a steering wheel,  hammocks, and tons of ways to climb. 

2 baby swings

The new splash pad. Can't wait to see it in the summer!

I love that they created these new areas at the top of the hill. They have one on each side, one with slides and the other with a webbed climber. 

Fun little manipulatives on each side of the ramp. 

Small covered pavilion near the playground and splashpad.

Free little library

Beautiful lake

Restroom building up the hill