Summer in Rockford can get hot! If you’re looking for a way to cool down, the Rockford area has several splash pads, spray pads, spraygrounds and a wading pool that you can check out. If a spraypad or sprayground just won’t cut it and you want to go swimming, check out pools in the Rockford area and beaches in the Rockford area.
Many of these water features are close to a playground so pack a lunch and make it a whole day!
Most of these water features are open between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Types of water features
There are a few different types of water features. Here’s what to expect when you visit.
Spray pads – These are usually a pole that sprays out water from the top or sides continuously or with the push of a button. They are often located near a playground.
Splash pads and spraygrounds – These are often a large concrete area with fountains spraying up from the ground and equipment that kids can interact with.
Wading pools – These are 2-4 foot depth pools that may include other water features such as fountains or slides.
Here’s a list of the spray pads, spraygrounds, splash pads, and wading pools in the Stateline area.
Spray Pads
Free Spray Pads in Rockford
These spray pads are open from 1 pm – 8 pm each day. The following spray pads are activated by pushing a button attached to the pole. All of these spray pads are open to the public and free to use. They are all activated by pushing a button regardless of temperature.
- Beattie Playground (1251 Rural Street, Rockford, IL)
- Blackhawk Park (101 15th Avenue, Rockford, IL)
- Bloom School Playground (2901 Pelham Road, Rockford, IL)
- Brown Park (2010 North Main Street, Rockford, IL)
- Churchill Park (2002 7th Avenue, Rockford, IL)
- Dahlquist Park (3251 Oak Grove Avenue, Rockford, IL)
- Ekberg Pine Manor (3750 Balsam Ln. Rockford, IL)
- Harmon Park (1924 East Gate Parkway, Rockford, IL)
- Highland Park (3011 Rural St., Rockford, IL)
- Keye-Mallquist Park (1702 11th Street, Rockford, IL)
- Liberty Park (1555 Morgan Street, Rockford, IL)
- Mandeville Park (650 Montague Road, Rockford, IL)
- Sabrooke Playground (2900 Kishwaukee St., Rockford, IL)
- S. Henrietta Park (527 S. Henrietta Street, Rockford, IL)
- Wantz Park (602 E. Riverside Blvd., Loves Park, IL
- Washington Park (3617 Delaware Street, Rockford, IL)
These spray pads are now available from 1 pm – 8 pm regardless of temperature. You simply push the button and water will spray.
Free Spray Pads in Beloit
These spray pads include one water ring and water that shoots up from holes in the ground. They are open from 10 am – 8 pm from mid-May – Labor Day weekend.
- Summit Park (Regina Dunkin Park) (1218 Henry Ave., Beloit, WI)
Please note, Vernon Park will be closed for summer 2025 due to park renovations.
Splash Pads and Spraygrounds
Free Splash Pads and Spraygrounds
The Bubbler (69 S. River St., Janesville, WI)
Hours: Open from 10 am – 10 pm daily
The Bubbler is located in downtown Janesville and includes water, lights, and music show. It is open from May – mid-October.
Doty Sprayground (365 W. Locust St., Belvidere, IL)
Hours: Open daily from 9 am – 8 pm
Doty Sprayground has geysers, a water tunnel, spinning water pole, and numerous other features that kids can interact with. While you’re there, stop by Doty Park to play. The sprayground is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. More about Doty Sprayground here.
Riverside Park Splash Pad (2600 Parkside Dr., Janesville, WI)
Hours: Open daily from 10 am – 8 pm
Riverside Park Splash Pad is nature-themed and has sections for teens, families, and toddlers. There are water jets, fountain sprayers, water cannons, and more. The splash pad is open from mid-May through September. More on Riverside Park Splash pad here.
Milton Splash Pad (413 Parkview Dr., Milton, WI)
Hours: 10 am – 8 pm
Milton Splash Pad has numerous water features including a pouring silo, mist tunnel, tall geysers that shoot water more than 20 feet into the air, spray guns, and a spinning flower. It’s 75% fenced in. The splash pad is open from Memorial Day until Labor Day. More about Milton Splash Pad here.
Splash Canyon Spray Park (14th St, Oregon, IL)
Hours: 8 am – 8 pm
The Splash Canyon Spray Park has water tunnels, fountain sprayers, geysers and more. The spray park is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
More Splash Pads in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin
Up for a drive? Check out these splash pads.
Splash Pad at Lakeview Park (6300 Mendota Ave., Middleton, WI)
Hours: Open daily from 9 am – 7 pm
The splash pad at Lakeview Park has geysers, fountains, and many interactive water features. The splash pad is open from Memorial Day until Labor Day. More information on Middleton Splash Pad here.
Fitchburg Splash Pad (2930 Chapel Valley Rd., Fitchburg, WI)
Hours: Open daily from 10 am – 8 pm
The Fitchburg splash pad in McKee Farms Park is farm themed with tractors, flowers, horses, chickens and other brightly colored equipment. It is fully accessible and safe for all ages and abilities. There are three zones: toddler, pre-teens, and families. Each zone has age-appropriate water features. The splash pad is open from Memorial Day until Labor Day. More about Fitchburg Splash pad here.
Paid Splash Pads and Spraygrounds
Sycamore Splash Pad (480 S. Airport Rd., Sycamore, IL)
Hours: Open Monday through Friday from 10 am – 8 pm
Saturday from 10 am – 6 pm
Sunday from 10 am – 2 pm
Cost: $4 per resident / $6 per non-resident (age 1 and up)
The Sycamore Splash Fountain is a large splash pad with many spraying features, a bucket dump, and a water play area. The splash pad is extremely clean and well-maintained with rough concrete that did not feel slippery to walk on. Kids from toddlers on up would enjoy it. The splash pad is open from Memorial Day until the end of September. More about the Sycamore splash pad here.
Please note: The spray area is not open this year, but the Kids Creek is open and running.
Nancy Olson Children’s Garden in Klehm Arboretum (2715 S. Main St., Rockford, IL)
Hours: Open daily from 9 am – 4 pm – check Facebook for extended summer hours
Admission: $12 per adult
$10 per child ages 4-18
Free for kids birth through 3
Free for those who receive EBT / SNAP benefits. Bring your card to show at the gate.
Klehm Arboretum’s Kids’ Creek is a nature-themed with creek beds, pools and streams for kids to play in. Be sure to go up to the top of the viewing deck to get a view of the whole area. The water features are open May – Labor Day. New for 2025 is a natural playground within the children’s garden!
Wading Pools
While several of the Rockford area pools have kiddie pools, there is only one standalone wading pool in the Stateline area.
The area’s only stand-alone kiddie pool at Palmer Park in Janesville has closed. It will be re-opening as a full pool in June 2025.
If we missed any water features that you know of, send us an email at hello@statelinekids.com!
More Summer Fun Here…
