There’s nothing better on a hot day than splashing around in some clean, cool water! But if you don’t have the time to head to the pool or lake, why not head to a local sprayground?
Fountains, spraygrounds, splash pads—whatever you call them, these handy water features located at parks, playgrounds and town squares offer an easy respite from the heat! If you’re on the hunt for one near you, we’ve got you covered. We rounded up a list of all the spraygrounds and splash pads in the Greater Omaha area. Read on to learn more and check out our interactive map below to find the splashpad nearest you!
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Or use our interactive map to find a sprayground near you!
Omaha
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo is home to one of the most beautiful—and fun—spraygrounds in the city! Scott Alaskan Adventure, open 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. daily (weather permitting), features dancing waters through sprays and spouts and over 75 bronze sculptures created by Matthew Placzek. This exhibit is free to Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium members or with paid general zoo admission.
Benson Park
This 3,250–square–foot padded area is decorated with blue and green wave patterns and lily pads. There are 29 spray features that include images of cattails, insects, and flowers. Around the sprayground is a picnic table area with a 15-by-50-foot shade canopy and bench seating that are all handicap accessible.
Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge
Located against a backdrop of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge and the Missouri River, this sprayground offers children the chance to interact with water sprays that rise from the circular plaza. Parents can sit on the stepped seating or the grassy slope and watch the kids or they can join in the fun.
The Omaha Riverscape at Joslyn Art Museum
Jesús Moroles (1950-2015), The Omaha Riverscape, 2008–09, granite and water installation; Museum purchase with funds from the Patron Circle for Contemporary Art and Helen and Ted Kolderie, 2008–09. Photo courtesy of Joslyn Art Museum
In the Peter Kiewit Foundation Sculpture Garden at the Joslyn Art Museum, you’ll find a 118-foot–long, 25-foot-wide pool that is open to walking, splashing and playing throughout the summer! The installation is a topographical “map” of a section of the Missouri River and The Platte River, filling and draining continuously each day to simulate the rise and fall of the river throughout the seasons.
Coyote Run Splash Park
This sprawling sprayground features all the bells and whistles including a spray tunnel, water sprays, showers and a giant water–pouring bucket.
Fontenelle Park
The Fontenelle Sprayground contains nine spray features, including colorful dumping bells, spinners, and spray “flowers.” Ground sprays are interactive, which means when a child steps on a spray, nearby sprays react by rising higher. There are also “water jellies” that are low toddler-friendly sprays.
Kountze Park
Founded in 1999, this sprayground on Pinkney Street was funded by the Peter Kiewit Foundation and has interactive palm trees, spray hoops and ground sprays.
Levi Carter Park
Levi Carter Sprayground has more to offer than just soaring mist! The area features a serpentine stream bed with playful fish, flowing water plants, and many other fascinating water play elements—including a large 50-gallon dump bucket that will be sure to cool you off on even the hottest of days.
Miller Park
One of Omaha’s newest spraygrounds, the Miller Park splash pad is almost 4,000 square feet, making it the largest one in the city. This sprayground is Viking–themed with 37 spray features, including a Viking ship, sea monster, and large dump bucket.
Morton Park
Opened in 2014, the Morton Sprayground is a sun-themed water playground offering a total of 3,000 square feet of fun! This park has an area designed for smaller children equipped with smaller spray features like dumping buckets, sun-shaped sprays, and a few larger features.
Orchard Park
The Orchard Park Sprayground is space–themed, with the sun, stars and planets illustrated throughout the rubber surfacing. Park features include a water wheel, an arch, spray hoops, a donut and ground sprays.
Perfect for warm weather, Sandy’s Splish-Splash Garden at the Omaha Children’s Museum is a small outdoor water play area where kids can cool off with water that spouts, sprays and other delights.
Seymour Smith Park
Seymour Smith Park Playground—also known as the AllPlay Complex—is the finest barrier–free sports and recreation complex in the nation. The $1.5 million complex utilizes barrier–free design concepts that allow people who have mobility impairments and other disabilities to fully enjoy sports and recreation.
The area’s water park was also designed barrier-free, allowing everyone to escape the summer’s heat!
Stinson Park at Aksarben Village
Small but mighty, Stinson Park’s small sprayground is an easy way to cool off when it’s way too hot in Aksarben. The park features five small sprays shooting up from the ground along with one other small fountain near the Aksarben Village tower in the center of the park.
Stone Ridge Splash Park
This small neighborhood sprayground features a spray tunnel, small water buckets, jumping streams and much more. Because the area doesn’t have any curbs it is also wheelchair accessible!
Upland Park
The Upland Park Sprayground opened in 1999 and features everything from a sea serpent and spray hoops to showering daisies. Spray features are activated by the kids themselves when they touch the activator posts located across the park.
Westwood Heights Park
Westwood Heights has one of the most imaginative spraygrounds around, boasting a large rainbow, sea serpents, ground sprays, dumping buckets and elephant and sea horse spray cannons. Kids can activate the sprays themselves by placing their hand on top of a blue post.
Bellevue
Everette Park
Complete with swinging water buckets, children-controlled water sprays, water tunnels and other exciting sprayground features—Everette Park is a great place to cool off! Parents can join in the fun or choose to observe from the shaded picnic area nearby.
Hastings Banner Park
Home to a quaint playground, splash pad, picnic pavilions and sports fields, Hastings Branner Park has long been a destination for outdoor fun in Bellevue. The splash pad itself features several small waterspouts, including a few shaped like silly snakes and frogs!
Council Bluffs
Bayliss Park
Bayliss Park is every kid’s paradise, featuring a fountain, an interactive water feature and other touchable art. It even features several pieces of art specifically designed for children—including the six squirrel statues that are located alongside the east side of the plaza!
Fairmount Park
This historic park features several walking trails, a playground, a plaza, a brand-new splash pad and a scenic overlook of the westside of Council Bluffs and the Omaha skyline! Handicap accessible and not too far from the heart of the city, this is the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic, cool off, or to take in the sights.
Fremont
Ronin Park
In addition to a beautiful public pool, Ronin Park is home to a sprawling, handicapped-accessible sprayground! Here, you’ll find child-activated spray guns, geysers, water-powered spinning flowers and much more.
Ruwe Park
Opened in 2014, the splash pad at Ruwe Park is a fun way to spend a hot afternoon! Simply put your palm to the sensor on the post near the pad and let the fun begin. Other park features include a playground, picnic shelter, a basketball court and more.
Miller Park
This sprayground, located at the intersection of Jackson and M, features two spray loops, two ground gushers and one serpent—each designed to provide hours of water fun for the whole family!
Van Anda Park
Van Anda Park is another high-tech, well–maintained splashground from the Fremont Parks & Recreation department. Just like the others, this one is sensor-controlled, which means you can keep the fun going for as long as you want!
La Vista
Cimarron Woods Splash Park
Papillion
Eagle Ridge Park
First Street Plaza
Schwer Park
Shadow Lake Towne Center
Shadow Lake Towne Center is more than just an open concept mall (featuring amazing stores and seasonal events), it’s also an outdoor destination, boasting a cushy splash pad for kids on hot days. Nearby, you can find comfortable benches and shaded seating for parents to relax.
Make a Splash!
Did we miss your favorite local sprayground or splashpad? Let us know in the comments below!