Splash Pads Around Austin - 2012 Schedules

Falcon Pointe Splash Park

My son turns six next week and he was really hoping to have his birthday party at a splash pad.  This turned out to be a bit tricky, however, as most of the fountains won't turn on until mid-May.  After poking around the internet and calling various Parks and Recreation Departments, I managed to pin down almost every opening date for local splash pads, so hopefully you can benefit from my research. I will continue to update this list as more information comes in.

Austin

To see all of the City of Austin pools and splash pads, categorized by area of the city, click here.  You can also find the 2012 schedules here.

• Bailey Park - New splash pad opened in 2010. 1101 W. 33rd Street, Austin 78705. (Photos). Open May 19 - September 9, 2012 daily from 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Bartholomew Park - Brand new splash pad opened in May, 2011. Bartholomew Park, 5200 Berkman Drive, Austin. (Photos). Open May 19 - September 9, 2012 daily from 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Chestnut Park - Located at 1404 East 16th Street, this splash pad is open from 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily. (Photos). Open May 19 - September 9, 2012 daily from 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Clarksville Splash Pad - Located at 1811 W. 11 Street. (Map). Open May 19 - September 9, 2012 daily from 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. 
• Dick Nichols District Park - There is a kids water-play area with a seal spitting water and hike and bike trails that wander throughout. 8011 Beckett Rd., Austin 78749. I'm not sure if this one is seasonal.
• Eastwoods Park - Located at 3001 Harris Park Blvd. Open May 19 - September 9, 2012 daily from 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Review)
• Liz Carpenter Fountain at Butler Park - The popular fountain, located next to the Long Center for the Performing Arts, across the street from Auditorium Shores, is open to the public 5 days a week. Hours of operation are: Monday: noon to 9:45 p.m. Tuesday - Sunday: 8 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. Kids love splashing around in this programmed fountain, where jets shoot water up in various patterns. (Photo). Open year-round. Feel free to call Austin 3-1-1 to double check that the fountain is turned on. 
• Lott Splash Pad - Located at 1108 Curves Street in Austin. Open May 19 - September 9, 2012 daily from 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• Metz Splash Pad - Free sprinkler park by Metz Recreation Center. It is located at 2400 Canterbury St. in Austin. Open May 19 - September 9, 2012 daily from 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Review)
• Pease Park's Water Sprayground - Pease Park is located at 1600 Parkway at Kingsbury St. in Austin. Open May 19 - September 9, 2012 daily from 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Review)
• Ricky Guerrero Splash Pad - Located at 2006 6th Street in Austin.  Open May 19 - September 9, 2012 every day except Wednesday, from 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. On Wednesdays it will be closed for maintenance. 
• Rosewood Splash Pad - The splash pad is located at 1182 Pleasant Valley in Austin. Open May 19 - September 9, 2012 daily from 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. The neighboring Rosewood Pool is also free, but is only open from 1 - 8 p.m. for recreational swimming.
• Southpark Meadows - Small bubbling fountains are located in The Grove, behind Mama Fu's, next to a great big, fun playground. Kids enjoy splashing and running through the water. The shopping center is located at 9300-9900 IH-35 South in South Austin. Currently operational. 
• The Triangle - The park at The Triangle offers small fountains for children to play in. Adults enjoy shopping at the Austin Farmers' Market on Wednesdays from 3 - 7 p.m. The Triangle is located at 4700 N. Lamar Boulevard in Austin. (Photos) Update: The fountain was not operational on 8/1/12.  Let me know if you see that it is working again.
• The Domain - There is a little splash pad with bubblers located directly in front of Guest Services. There is another bigger fountain that you can play in, located in Domain II, on the walkway between Dick's Sporting Goods and Dillard's, in front of Gold Class Cinemas. (Video) Both fountains are currently operational (updated 7/25/12). You may contact Guest Services at (512) 873-8099 for more information.

Bee Cave

• Hill Country Galleria - There is an interactive fountain for kids to play in. The shopping center is located at 12700 Hill Country Blvd., Ste. T-100, Bee Cave. The fountain is on for the 2012 season.  Check the website for updates or call 512-263-0001. 

Cedar Park

• Water Playscape at Brushy Creek Park - There is no staying dry at this playscape, with jets gushing water from below and pipes spraying water from above. There is a playground and restrooms, as well as plenty of nearby picnic tables. Located at 3300 Brushy Creek Road in Cedar Park. (Photos) Operates May 1, 2012 through Labor Day daily, from 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. and weekends in September, 2012, from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. 
• Champion Park - Kids can run through a blue whale skeleton and get sprayed by water. There is also a fun bubbler to play in. The sprinkler park is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, from May 1, 2012 to September. Don't miss digging for dino bones in the shaded sand box. There are restrooms by the parking lot. Champion Park is located at 3830 Brushy Creek Road in Cedar Park. (Photos). For more information, contact the Williamson County Parks and Recreation Department at (512) 943-1920.

Leander

• Water Playscape at Robin Bledsoe Park - This fun splash park features water guns and buckets that dump water on unsuspecting heads. It is fully enclosed, with a gate. There are restrooms and a playground close by. Located at 601 South Bagdad Road in Leander, it is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 1, 2012 through September 30, 2012. For more information on the Robin Bledsoe Park aquatic facilities, please contact the Parks & Recreation Department at (512) 528-9909.
• Quarry Splash Pad - Brand new splash pad, opened in June, 2011. Admission is $1 per person (bring cash). Go here to read about our visit in 2011. (Photos) Quarry Splash Pad recorded information line 512-943-1919. Contact Williamson County Parks & Recreation at 943-1920 for more information. Opens for the season on Saturday, May 5, 2012.  It will be open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. 3005 County Road 175, Leander.

Pflugerville

• Falcon Pointe Splash Park - This splash park is open from May 1, 2012 to October 1, 2012, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (weather permitting). It is kid-powered, requiring kids to push a button to activate the water. After the button has been pressed, the water will remain on for 90 seconds. The splash park is located at the corner of Drifting Meadows Drive and Tranquility Lane in the development of Falcon Pointe in Pflugerville. (Photos) 

Round Rock

• Main Street Plaza - This brand new interactive water fountain opened October 1, 2011. The fountain recycles its own water source and has a very low evaporation rate. There are also have wind sensors in the plaza that will turn of the fountain automatically if the wind begins to blow the water away from the intake well. The fountain is extremely water efficient and was designed to use as little water as possible. (Video) The Main Street Plaza Water Fountain is now open 7:30 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 10 p.m. Monday – Thursday (the fountain will be turned off from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to accommodate programming in the plaza) and 7:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday – Sunday Call the Round Rock Parks & Recreation Department at (512) 218-5540 or visit the website for more information.