Scattered across Tacoma and in downtown Puyallup, spraygrounds – also known as splash parks – have become a family favorite for hot summer days. Over the last couple of years, many spraygrounds have opened in the Tacoma-Puyallup area. During the summer, jungle gyms and other play equipment can become much too hot 
for kids to enjoy for very long, so spraygrounds provide a cooler alternative. Kids and kids at heart can enjoy the water spurting from every angle, massive squirt guns that spray water across the parks, and buckets that dump water from the sky. There’s a smile on every face at the free Metro Parks Tacoma and Puyallup Kiwanis spraygrounds.
Hunter George, chief communications and public affairs officer for Metro Parks Tacoma, says each year people have become more and more eager for the parks to open. Hunter explains, “The parks have become so popular that people start calling Metro Parks as early as May, asking ‘When are you going to open?’ We’ve since then opened them earlier than planned and everyone wants to go play!”
With how popular these parks have become within the Tacoma community, it is no wonder how many spraygrounds have been established. Metro Parks plans on opening even more in the years to come. Read on for a list of the 11 spraygrounds in the Tacoma-Puyallup area, all open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily, May through September.
Franklin Park
Franklin Park covers more than 20-acres in Central Tacoma with ball fields, covered areas, playgrounds, community gardens and the sprayground. Franklin Park is the perfect place to go with the family to beat the summer heat. Franklin Park is located at 1201 S. Puget Sound Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98405.
Jefferson Park
Jefferson Park is a small park with a great playground all year round and a sprayground for hot days. The sprayground is adjacent to a small playground and picnic area. Jefferson Park is located at 801 N. Mason Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98406.
Kandle Park
Kandle is a busy community park that features a playground, lots of open green space, a small sprayground as well as the first (and still only!) wave pool in Pierce County. Check out the super cool park by going to 2323 N. Shirley Street, Tacoma, WA 98406.
Kiwanis Kids Spray Park
Located outside the Puyallup Library and the large jungle gym of Pioneer Park, the Kiwanis Kids Spray Park is a community gem. From mid-morning until dusk, there is water spraying and endless squeals of laughter are heard from the countless children who visit daily. The park is located at 324 S. Meridian, Puyallup, WA 98371.
Norpoint Park
Norpoint is a popular park located just down the road from beautiful Dash Point State Park. Norpoint offers many amenities to the community, including a sprayground, a swimming pool, skate park and even a climbing wall. Visit Norpoint Park at 4818 Nassau Avenue NE, Tacoma, WA 98422.
SERA Campus
Short for South End Recreation and Adventure, SERA brings the beach to the city. Rocks surround the shores of the sprayground that is neighbor to a playground, trails and many other exciting park amenities. SERA Campus is located at 6002 S. Adams Street, Tacoma, WA 98409.
South Park
South Park is located off of South Tacoma Way. While it’s not a large park, the beautifully wooded area is home to a fun and colorful sprayground with water-shoots galore! South Park can be found at 4821 S. Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA 98409.
Titlow Park
Located on the water with views of the Narrows Bridge, Titlow Park has it all. The sprayground here features a variety of water-spouting structures that are fun to play in and see. There’s also a beach if more watery fun is in order. The Titlow sprayground can be visited at 8425 6th Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98465.
Verlo Playfield
Verlo Playfield features a small sprayground with many water-shoots and tall waterspouts. This popular park is a perfect spot to chill out on a hot day and it also has a playground and plenty of field space to run around. Verlo is located at 4321 McKinley Avenue, Tacoma, WA 98404.
Wapato Hills Park
Wapato Hills is the perfect place to hike the trails around the lake, and then cool off at the sprayground. Plenty of the trails have some shade as well so even on hot days, you’ll find a place to walk that won’t be too bad. The Wapato Hills sprayground can be visited at 6231 S. Wapato Street, Tacoma, WA 98409.
Wright Park
Wright Park is one of the most popular spraygrounds in town. This historic park has a great playground and an extensive sprayground, as well as a pond and a conservatory. Wright Park is located at 501 S. I Street, Tacoma, WA 98405.