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)
- Washington Park (3617 Delaware Street, Rockford, IL)
Here are the rules for these spray pads:
When the heat index is at least 85 degrees, you can call customer service at 815-987-8800 to request the spray pad be turned on between 1 pm – 5 pm. If the temperature is over 95 degrees, Rockford Park District will automatically turn on the pads from 1 pm – 5 pm. If the heat index is over 100 degrees, Rockford Park District will automatically activate the spray pads from 1 pm – 8 pm.
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.
- Vernon Park (934 Vernon Ave., Beloit, WI)
- Summit Park (1218 Henry Ave., Beloit, WI)
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 11 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 May 31 – September. 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 May 15 – September 12. 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 May 17 until 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.
Nancy Olson Children’s Garden in Klehm Arboretum (2715 S. Main St., Rockford, IL)
Hours: Open daily from 9 am – 8 pm
Admission: $10 per adult
$8 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 and splash pad are nature-themed with creek beds, fountains, pools and streams for kids to play in. The splash pad area has Astroturf so it doesn’t get slippery and the kid’s creek has lots of room for kids to explore. 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. More about Klehm’s splash pad here.
Wading Pools
While several of the Rockford area pools have kiddie pools, there is only one standalone wading pool in the Stateline area.
Palmer Wading Pool (2501 Palmer Dr., Janesville, WI)
Hours: Open daily from 12 pm – 7 pm
Admission: $2 per child over 1, caregivers are free. Youth season pass is $12
Open June 8 – August 18, 2024
Palmer Wading Pool is a large wading pool with seven-inch depth throughout for kids 8 and under. There is a raining mushroom feature and two whale-shaped slides. Be sure to check out the awesome and highly accessible, Camden Playground while you’re there. More about Palmer Wading Pool here.
If we missed any water features that you know of, send us an email at [email protected]!
More Summer Fun Here…
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