Looking for splash pads in the Pensacola area? Here's where you can stay cool this summer
Summer has yet to begin, but it's already shaping up to be a hot one. For parents, that means coming up with ways to keep their families cool this summer without plopping them down in front of a screen.
Traditional parks are a great way to keep your kids active and engaged when the weather is good, but summertime is often too hot to enjoy without some way to beat the heat. So, what's the obvious solution? A park with a splash pad.
Here's a list of where you can find parks with splash pads in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
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Splash pads in Pensacola
Legion Field
Where: 1301 W. Gregory St.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., mid-March through October
Legion Field is home to the Theophalis May Center, a playground, a LeaP fitness court, baseball/softball fields, basketball courts, football fields, soccer, solar lights, walking paths and trails and a splash pad.
The splash pad is operated by turning on a button affixed to a small white pole at the center of its perimeter. Each press turns the pad on for about 15 minutes.
Plaza de Luna
Where: 900 S. Palafox St.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., mid-March through October
Plaza de Luna is located right at the end of Palafox Pier on South Palafox Street. You'll be greeted by a Don Tristan de Luna statue as soon as you step foot at the plaza, which is surrounded by a food stand, restaurant, splash fountain and historical markets, not to mention a beautiful panoramic view of Pensacola Bay.
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, DeLuna's Chat & Chew Grill 850-262-0331 offers concession services and public restrooms. Please note that these facilities may be closed during severe weather conditions.
The Splash Pad at Plaza DeLuna is equipped with a wind sensor that turns off the water when wind speeds exceed 10 mph. This prevents water overflow in the parking lot and ensures the water is recirculated through the attraction's filtration and pump system. If you visit during normal hours on a windy day and the splash pad is not operating, it's likely because the wind sensor is activated. The water should resume its cycle once the wind speed drops below 10 mph.
Splash pads in Escambia County
Showalter Park
Where: Kelly Field Road, Century
Hours: Open all week, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
The Showalter Park features over 21.3 acres of land that includes an exercise trail, tennis court, baseball/softball field, a playground and a splash pad.
Splash pads in Gulf Breeze
Dolphin Island Splash Pad at Shoreline Park
Where: 800 Shoreline Drive, Gulf Breeze
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday
The splash pad is part of the larger Sunset Kids Park, which also features a playground with plenty of slides and ladders, along with a mini-climbing wall to keep the kids entertained.
Splash pads in Pace
Benny Russell Park
Where: 4160 N. Spencer Field Road, Pace
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday
The splash pads at Benny Russell Park are open seasonally from May 2 to Sept. 30. The nearly 30-acre park is full of pavilions, picnic tables, playgrounds and splash pads.
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Splash pads in Navarre
Navarre Park
Where: 8513 Navarre Parkway, Navarre
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday
The Navarre Park splash pads are open seasonally from May 2 to Sept. 30. This is a 5-acre park that has 30 benches, eight pavilions, 25 picnic tables and splash pads.
Splash pads in Milton
Carpenter's Park
Where: 5254 Munson Highway, Milton
Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily
The splash pad at Carpenter's Park opened in 2020. Carpenter's Park is located at the corner of Broad Street and Munson Highway. This park offers a variety of playground equipment to entertain children, boat ramps with trailer parking areas, picnic shelters and a large pavilion.
Splash pads in Pensacola Beach
Laguna's Beach Bar + Grill
Where: 460 Pensacola Beach Blvd.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
You'll find family-friendly activities, exceptional cuisine and ice-cold drinks. The establishment boasts a 600-foot stretch of pristine beachfront, featuring tikis and Adirondack chairs and offers attractions like go-karts, a three-story ropes course, a splash pad, four 30-foot tall clip n' climb climbing structures, zip rail, parasailing, jet ski rentals, pontoon boat rentals, dolphin cruises and more.
The restaurant also offers an array of entertainment options, including live music every weekend during the summer, the only brick-oven pizza kitchen on the island and TVs for games. Guests can also indulge in unique menu items and Fat Tuesday frozen drinks.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Splash pads near Pensacola: Where you can stay cool this summer
