Every summer is a hot one in the Coastal Bend, but splash pads and public pools can provide a fun, affordable and easy way to cool off. Here is our round-up of local splash pads and public pools open for the summer.
SPLASH PADS
H-E-B Splash Park at Texas State Aquarium
Cap your visit to the Texas State Aquarium off with a visit to the H-E-B Splash Park. This marine-themed park features state-of-the-art water spray jets, waterslides, a 350-gallon water dump feature and more. Enjoy a variety of casual cuisine like sandwiches, hot dogs and dippin’ dots from the Pepsi Shoreline Grill. Lockers are available for rent to make your visit even more convenient. 2710 N. Shoreline Blvd
- Admission: Included in admission to the Aquarium
- Hours: Open Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. until September 30.
Salinas Park Splash Pad
This splash pad is the latest amenity added to the Westside Regional Park. It features splash fountains, waterfalls and other interactive water features. While at the Manuel Q. Salinas Park, check out the award-winning Play-For-All Playground, Miracle League Field, picnic tables, a pavilion, a walking trail and various shade structures. 1354 Airport Rd
- Admission: Free
- Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. until Oct. 31
Lindale Park Splash Pad
This neighborhood park and splash pad is a local favorite for residents of the Bay Area. Tucked away in the Lindale subdivision, this splash pad features various interactive water features for kids to enjoy. In addition to the fun water activities, Lindale Park includes a playground, picnic tables, shade structures, a grill, a basketball court and a community garden. 3133 Swantner Dr
- Admission: Free
- Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. until Oct. 31
Bill Witt Park Splash Pad
Bill Witt Park is a recreation-focused Southside regional park that has long been the venue for countless little league and soccer games. With the addition of a splash pad and multiple splash fountains, interactive waterfalls and spray jets, the park now also serves as a place to have fun and cool off. The park will welcome a new shallow-depth recreational pool and and a 10-lane lap pool later this Summer. 6869 Yorktown Blvd
- Admission: Free
- Hours: Tuesday – Sunday from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. until Oct. 31
Cole Park Splash Pad
The highly anticipated Bayfront splash pad at Cole Park offers 23 interactive water features for children of all ages. These features include bucket trios, pirate cannons, jet streams, a towering water structure, a ground-level geyser and an ADA-accessible play area. The splash pad is enclosed by a safety fence, with synthetic turf surrounding the area and paved pathways. 2030 Ocean Dr
- Admission: Free
- Hours: Tuesday – Sunday from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. until Oct. 31
PUBLIC POOLS
Aransas Pass Aquatic Center
The Aransas Pass Aquatic Center is an aquatic wonderland with a zero-depth kid-friendly area complete with waterfalls and splash fountains, a waterslide area with its own pool area and a large varying-depth lap pool. The Aransas Pass Aquatic Center is fun for the whole family. 400 E Johnson Ave
- Admission: $5 per person
- Hours: Wednesday – Sunday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Family night every Thursday in June and July from 6 – 8 p.m.
Port Aransas Community Pool
The Port Aransas Community Pool has a lap pool, diving pool, shallow water entry with splash features for kids, two waterslides and plenty of lounge and shade areas. 700 Clark Pkwy
- Admission: Children 3 and younger are free; $1 per child 4-18 years; $1 per senior; $2 per adult
- Hours: Lap Swim – Tuesdays and Thursdays 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sundays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Open Swim – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.; Wednesdays and Fridays, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Portland Aquatic Center
The Portland Aquatic Center boasts a competition pool ranging from 4 to 13 feet deep, featuring two diving boards at different heights and floating play structures in the shallow section. The recreational pool features a zero-depth entry, a boat slide, dual slide, bubblers and palm tree shaders perfect for smaller kids. 2002 Billy G Webb Dr
- Admission: For children 2 years and under, admission is free. For children over 2 years and adults, admission is $5. For seniors, admission is $4.
- Hours: Summer season is May 25 through Aug. 4, 2024, 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. Closed Mondays.
Rockport Community Aquatic Center
The Rockport Fulton Community Aquatic Center, located within a 12-acre live oak forest, is open throughout the year. The park features an 8-lane, heated, 25-yard pool and diving area, as well as a whale-shaped zero-depth entry children’s pool with slides and sprays, and a bathhouse. Next to the community pool, you’ll find a picnic area and playground, plus, a 1/4 mile nature trail. 2001 Stadium Dr
- Admission: $5 per person
- Hours: Tuesdays – Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.
City of Corpus Christi Public Pools
All Corpus Christi city-run public pools have a lap pool area, a shallow or zero-depth entrance with splash features great for small kids and free admission all summer long!