5 over-the-top splash parks for kids on Long Island
Children cool off at the spray park at Wantagh Park. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
On a late July day, Sarah Suber is back again with Theo, her 20-month-old son, at Shipwreck Cove Spray Park along the waterfront in Bay Shore. Kids are sliding, splashing, laughing and running through the pirate ship-themed water park near the Great South Bay.
"We come a lot during the weekdays because I stay home with him," says Suber, 25, of Bay Shore. "It’s just a nice thing to do. Sometimes we walk here. It’s so close."
Kids can have their day at splash parks while shooting the water cannons, standing under water-sprayers or near any of the numerous spray heads. They can go down slippery waterslides or wait patiently until the big buckets tip over and drench them with water. Town splash parks give families an affordable option to beat the heat and most are open to all residents. The play areas allow kids to get active and meet other families in the community.
"I really like the dump bucket dunking part," says Madeline Fulton, 7, of Holbrook, about Shipwreck Cove. "It’s just a nice place to be," says her mom, Cecilia Fulton, 39, a coordinator for New York Cancer & Blood Specialists. "It’s enclosed; lifeguards are everywhere, so I’m not worried about it."
Splash parks have also become a meetup destination for friends. "It’s good socializing for the kids," says Fulton’s friend Suzanne Albers, 40, a teacher from Holbrook. "I like the big slide because it’s fun and it’s fast," says her daughter, Emma Albers, 6.
Over at Wantagh Park, the slipping and sliding continues as children cool off at the hamlet's spray park.
Lisa Carroll goes there often with her twin 8-year-old granddaughters, Mary Jane and Leighann Carroll. "They beg me to come here every day. We picnic here a lot," says Caroll, 56, a school secretary from Plainedge.
These parks offering over-the-top slides, water shooters and splash pads are open to residents and nonresidents:
Slide down the waterslide at Shipwreck Cove Spray Park
142 South Clinton Ave., Bay Shore
Romy Canobbio, 5, of Bay Shore, plays with her sister, Evie, 7, at Shipwreck Cove in Bay Shore. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
"The spray parks and pads create a fun and interactive aquatic experience," says Mark Taormina, the Town of Islip’s recreation supervisor. "Even though they are geared for children, the adults love the spray parks, too. Patrons love to run and jump through the spray features, squirt water with a water cannon, or just sit and relax in the zero entry area." Kids can play on waterslides, a climbing area with water sprayers and a zero-depth entry wading pool for small children.
Hours 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. daily until Labor Day
Cost $10 residents ages 3 and older with a recreation card; $15 residents without a recreation card; $30 nonresidents
More info 631-224-5404, islipny.gov
Run through the splash pad at Roberto Clemente Spray Park
400 Broadway Ave., Brentwood
Sandra Barilla and her son, Anthony, of Brentwood, play in the splash zone at Roberto Clemente Park in Brentwood. Credit: Linda Rosier
The Town of Islip’s second largest spray facility is a 1,650-square-foot spray pad in Brentwood featuring the town’s largest fill and spill bucket, a curved waterslide, a water maze and several water spray areas. The park also has two zero-entry wading pool areas with a waterslide, overhead dump bucket, climbing area, water sprayers and a pad area for littles.
Hours 10:30 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. daily through Sept. 1; 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Sept. 2
Cost $10 residents ages 3 and older with a recreation card; $15 residents without a recreation card; $30 nonresidents
More info 631-595-3715, islip.ny.gov
Spray water shooters at Wantagh Park Spray Park
1 King Rd., Wantagh
Michael Devivo and Luce Forgione enjoying the spray park at Wantagh Park in Wantagh on July 26. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Located in the swimming pool complex at Wantagh Park, the area includes an Olympic-size pool, two waterslides, a diving pool, a kiddie pool and a training pool. The interactive spray park features a jungle gym with sprinklers that shoot water from ground level, sprays, water guns, splash pad, wheels and two large funnels that spill water.
Hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily until Labor Day, weather permitting
Cost $10 with Leisure Pass (13 and older must have their own), $6 ages 7-17; nonresident fee is $25, $20 per child. Parking $10 a car daily for nonresidents from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
More info 516-571-7460, nassaucountyny.gov
Climb the jungle gym at Cantiague Park
480 W. John St., Hicksville
Nathan Ban, of Old Westbury, enjoys the splash park at the Cantiague Park Pool in Hicksville. Credit: Howard Schnapp
The swimming pool complex includes an Olympic-size pool, two waterslides, a diving pool, a kiddie pool, a training pool and an interactive water-play area with a jungle gym, ground-level sprinklers that shoot water, various sprays, water guns and wheels.
Hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily until Labor Day, weather permitting
Cost $10 with Leisure Pass (13 and older must have their own), $6 for ages 7-17; nonresident fee is $25, $20 per child. Parking $10 a car daily for nonresidents from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
More info 516-571-7056, nassaucountyny.gov
Cool off in the sprinklers at Bay Park
198 First Ave., East Rockaway
Overlooking Hewlett Bay, the sprinkler park features on-demand sprinklers and multiple playgrounds, and is free to residents and nonresidents alike. "Bay Park is a fun and cooling, free experience for all parkgoers," says Darcy Belyea, Nassau County Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Museums.
Hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Labor Day, weather permitting
Cost Free
More info 516 571-7245, nassaucountyny.gov
