Heat wave moves through Cincy: Keep cool at these water parks, spraygrounds

Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer
·6 min read
According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, a heat advisory is in effect throughout the region from noon to 9 p.m. on Monday, with index values expected to reach 102.
According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, a heat advisory is in effect throughout the region from noon to 9 p.m. on Monday, with index values expected to reach 102.

Be prepared to feel the heat in Cincinnati this week.

A heat advisory is in effect throughout the region from noon to 9 p.m. on Monday, with index values expected to reach 102.

Heat index values are also expected to be in the mid-to upper 90s on Tuesday, near 100 Wednesday, near 105 Thursday and near 100 on Friday.

If you need a way to cool off, look no further than Cincinnati's water parks and spraygrounds. We've rounded up a list of nearby parks below with hours, pricing and other information.

Aqua Adventures at Land of Illusion

Enjoy Land of Illusion's inflatable water slide, paddleboarding, beach games, Wibit Adventure Zone and more.

  • Open: May 27 through Sept. 4.

  • Hours of operation: Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

  • Location: 8762 Thomas Road, Middletown.

  • More information: landofillusion.com.

Clippard Park

The 21-acre park has a motion-activated sprayground, a basketball court, skate park, picnic area, walking trails and more.

  • Open: May 29 through Sept. 4.

  • Hours of operation: Daily, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

  • Location: 3500 Bevis Lane, Colerain Township.

  • More information: colerain.org.

Caldwell Sprayground

Free sprayground for kids to enjoy.

  • Open: May 27 through Sept. 4.

  • Hours of operation: Daily, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

  • Location: 316 W. North Bend Road, Carthage.

  • More information: cincyrec.org.

College Hill Sprayground

Free sprayground with water features that spray and sprinkle water.

  • Open: May 27 through Sept. 4.

  • Hours of operation: Daily, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

  • Location: 5660 Belmont Ave., College Hill.

  • More information: cincinnati-oh.gov.

Dyer Sprayground

A free sprayground for children.

  • Open: May 27 through Sept. 4.

  • Hours of operation: Daily, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

  • Location: 2110 Freeman Ave., West End.

  • More information: cincyrec.org.

Fairfield Aquatic Center

Find a climbing wall, waterslide, sprayground and a pool with a diving board at the Fairfield Aquatic Center.

  • Open: May 27 through Sept. 4.

  • Hours of operation: Saturdays from noon to 8 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m.

  • Location: 2605 Augusta Blvd., Fairfield.

  • Rates and more information: fairfield-city.org.

Main Street Sprayground

This sprayground for kids is located between Smale Riverfront Park and Sawyer Point.

  • Open: Now through Oct. 27.

  • Hours of operation: Daily, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  • Location: 100 W. Merhing Way, Downtown.

  • More information: cincinnati-oh.gov/cincyparks.

McKie Sprayground

This sprayground is free to use.

  • Open: May 27 through Sept. 4.

  • Hours of operation: Daily, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

  • Location: 1655 Chase Ave., Northside.

  • More information: cincyrec.org.

North Fairmount Sprayground

Kids sprayground area.

  • Open: May 27 through Sept. 4.

  • Hours of operation: Daily, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

  • Location: 1702 Denham St., North Fairmount.

  • More information: cincyrec.org.

Oakley Sprayground

Free to the public, this sprayground has multiple water features.

  • Open: May 27 through Sept. 4.

  • Hours of operation: Daily, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

  • Location: 3900 Paxton Ave., Oakley.

  • More information: cincyrec.org.

Oxford Aquatic Center

This water park near Miami University features a zero-depth activity pool, waterslides, a lazy river, an eight-lane competition pool and diving boards.

Oyler Sprayground

This free sprayground has multiple water features.

  • Open: May 27 through Sept. 4.

  • Hours of operation: Daily, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

  • Location: 2125 Staebler St., Lower Price Hill.

  • More information: cincyrec.org.

Pleasant Ridge Sprayground

Sprayground is open for kids and is free to use.

  • Open: May 27 through Sept. 4.

  • Hours of operation: Daily, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

  • Location: 5915 Ridge Ave., Pleasant Ridge.

  • More information: cincinnati-oh.gov/recreation.

Silverlake The Family Place

This family-friendly entertainment destination features an indoor aquatic center and an outdoor water park.

  • Open: Year-round.

  • Hours of operation: Hours may vary.

  • Location: 301 Kenton Lands Road; Erlanger, Kentucky.

  • More information: silverlakefamily.com.

South Fairmount Sprayground

A sprayground area that is great for kids.

  • Open: May 27 through Sept. 4.

  • Hours of operation: Daily, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

  • Location: 1685 Queen City Ave., South Fairmount.

  • More information: cincinnati-oh.gov.

Soak City at Kings Island

Find over 50 water features, like a wave pool, tube slides, water slides, sprayground area for kids and more at Kings Island's Soak City.

  • Open: May 27 through Sept. 4.

  • Hours of operation: Daily, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

  • Location: 6300 Kings Island Drive, Mason.

  • More information: visitkingsisland.com/soak-city.

Sunlite Water Adventure at Coney Island

Sunlite Water Adventure at Coney Island Park features the Sunlite Pool, water slides, a floating obstacle course, interactive play stations, a dive pool and more.

Veterans Pool at Veterans Memorial Park

A 25-meter public swimming pool complete with shower, locker and restroom facilities.

  • Hours of operation: Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 8 p.m.

  • Location: 26 Caroline Ave., Newport, Kentucky.

  • More information: www.facebook.com.

The 7,000-square-foot interactive water feature at Washington Park includes over 130 pop-up jets that can be synchronized to music and lights.
The 7,000-square-foot interactive water feature at Washington Park includes over 130 pop-up jets that can be synchronized to music and lights.

Washington Park

The 7,000-square-foot interactive water feature at Washington Park includes over 130 pop-up jets that can be synchronized to music and lights.

Winton Woods: Parky's Ark Wet Playground

Free to the public, Winton Woods is a 2,555-acre park with a children’s water play area.

  • Open: May 27 through Sept. 4.

  • Hours of operation: Weekends and holidays from noon to 6 p.m.

  • Location: 10245 Winton Road, Springfield Township.

  • More information: greatparks.org/recreation/playgrounds.

Woodland Mound: Parky’s Wetland Adventure

Free to the public, Woodland Mound is a 1,066-acre park that features a water play area for kids.

  • Open: May 27 through Sept. 4.

  • Hours of operation: Weekends and holidays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

  • Location: 8250 Old Kellogg Road, Anderson Township.

  • More information: greatparks.org/recreation/playgrounds.

Wake Nation Water Park

A water sports complex with a floating playground and cable park, summer camps, wakeboarding and lessons.

  • Open: Back-to-school season, Aug. 14 through Sept. 3; Late season, Sept. 4 through Oct. 1.

  • Hours of operation: Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 7 p.m. during back-to-school season. Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. during late season.

  • Location: 201 Joe Nuxhall Way, Fairfield.

  • More information: wakenation.com.

Ziegler Park pool

The Ziegler Park pool features a zero-depth entry shallow area, five 25-meter lanes, and a deep end with a diving board and climbing wall.

  • Open: May 13 through Sept. 10.

  • Hours of operation: Open swim, Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  • Location: 1322 Sycamore St., Pendleton.

  • More information: zieglerpark.org.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati heat wave: Cool off at these water parks, spraygrounds