Photo: Emma Way/Axios
It’s hot out. Here are some local spraygrounds to take the whole family to cool off.
For the uninitiated, a sprayground is a combo playground and water fountain. There are plenty of spraygrounds all over Charlotte, and they’re way more elaborate than the sprinkler you’ve got at home.
Details: The county’s public spraygrounds are open every year from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Mecklenburg also has two outdoor seasonal pools and one public beach access at Ramsay Creek Park at Lake Norman. More details here.
Here are 9 splash pads to check out this summer.
(1) Romare Bearden Park
Location: 300 S. Church St.
Parking: Standard urban paid parking; try parallel metered spots around the perimeter of the park or any deck Uptown
The deal: Splash waterfalls, a misting cool zone and killer views of the city
(2) First Ward Park
Location: 301 E. 7th St.
Parking: Paid street parking around the perimeter of the park; nearby parking decks
The deal: Fountains and sprinklers just across the street from ImaginOn and 7th Street Public Market
Photo: Emma Way/Axios
(3) Veteran’s Park
Location: 2136 Central Ave.
Parking: Large free parking lot
The deal: One big covered area with lots of fountains and sprayers
(4) Little Sugar Creek Greenway
Location: Elizabeth Park on the Greenway at 4th & Kings
Parking: Free lots at 4th & Kings and Elizabeth & Kings
The deal: Pause your stroll along the Sugar Creek Greenway by the Captain Jack statue to play at the fun-sized splash pad
(5) Latta Park
Location: 601 E. Park Ave
Parking: Several free angled spots on the street
The deal: This 32-acre park tucked in the center of Dilworth is sometimes overlooked compared to Freedom Park, but it’s worth a stop.
(6) Cordelia Park
Location: 2100 N. Davidson St
Parking: Big lot up the hill
The deal: Adjacent pool charges $1 access all summer but the sprayground is free
(7) Clarks Creek Community Park
Location: 5435 Hucks Rd.
Parking: Two small free lots that sometimes fill up on busy summer days
The deal: The 31-acre park only opened in 2019 so it has all the bells and whistles from a sprayground and 8 pickleball courts to a dog park and a loop trail system.
Clarks Creek Community. Photo: Courtesy Mecklenburg County
(8) Nevin Community Park
Location: 6100 Statesville Rd.
Parking: Good sized parking lot
The deal: The park has two separate spraygrounds for younger and older children.
(9) West Charlotte Recreation Center
Location: 2401 Kendall Drive
Parking: Big dedicated lot.
The deal: This splash ground is covered! So you can splash around in the water and stay in the shade.
Related Axios guide: 17 neighborhood swim clubs in Charlotte. Plus, how to join and how much it costs
