Summer has finally arrived in Lake County, and you can’t keep my children away from the water this time of year. One of our favorite splash spots in the Free Grayslake Spray Park at Central Park!
Grayslake Spray Park
Sprinklers and water features of all kinds are there to get your children wet and provide some much-needed relief from the heat… And it’s free! This small park is gated too meaning your little ones (usually) can’t escape your view. You can either relax on the sidelines while your kids have a blast or you can join in the fun. Just be sure to bring towels, swimsuits, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen. You can also bring a few buckets for them to fill and pour but be ready to share (or bring a few extra) because those buckets seem to be a source of envy among the preschool crowd. And, If your kids decide that they don’t like to get sprayed in the face (happens quite often), there is a really fun dry park right outside the gate, a small picnic pavilion and there are restrooms on-site as well.
Drawbacks
Of course, no fun (or free) spot is without its downside. As I mentioned before, this spray park is small and it can get very crowded on hot days, especially around midday, so I usually arrive when it first opens and leave before lunch. Also, there is no shade so that sun protection is absolutely essential. You can escape the sun by going to the small pavilion at the adjacent park or heading over to the pool when it is open. Despite these minor complaints, and with a little extra planning, we keep going back and have an absolute blast every time!
Location, hours, etc…
Located in Central Park, off of Library Lane.
Park your car at the back of the aquatic center parking lot and walk across a small field to the playgrounds. The splash pad is generally open from 10:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. with a small break for maintenance between 3:15-3:30 p.m. However, hours may change at any time due to weather or mechanics. Check the website before going out.
Grayslake Spray Park
Grayslake Community Park District, (847) 223-7529
Facebook | Instagram
By Kristy K.
Round Lake
Kristy is the mother of two young children, who join in her quest for unique restaurants, fun places to play and a little personal sanity in the process. She does her best to teach her children healthy habits, kindness, compassion and a love of nature while also learning that sometimes we need to let go of our ideals in the name of fun.
Do you know what is the age range for this place? Thank you very much!!!!
I believe the sign says under 10 years old. It’s really best for toddlers and preschoolers and young grade schoolers.
Can you still get in for free if you’re not a Grayslake resident?
Yes!
It’s not guarded or attended, it’s just a fenced off area in central park so everyone is free.
When does the splash park close for the season?
My kids love, love, love this little park.
We went this past Friday, it was a blast for our 15 month old and 3 year old- however, the older kids were running like crazy through the park knocking anyone under 2 over. We expected other kids to not pay attention and so we followed behind our own children to be sure that the bigger kids saw them coming through.
Also- the sign there now says that it is open until 3:30 and closes until 4pm- we were there during that whole time- so not sure if they really do close it at all? Just thought I’d update for ya! 🙂
When does the water park close for the season, Labor Day?
September 2 is the last day for the 2013 season.