Ann Arbor area Pools, Water Parks, and Splash Pads are returning to operation in 2021. They are phasing in their operations as local restrictions are lifted.
All of the locations on our list are opt to the public without a membership. Admission fees are noted where needed.
One of my daughter’s favorite parts of summer is the water – whether it’s swimming, water slides, splash parks, or just getting wet. Fortunately, there are a number of Ann Arbor Swimming Pools and more for kids to get wet and cool off this summer. The 11 places to get wet below may include an admission charge, but do not require a season membership.
Outdoor Pools
Nothing says summer like a lazy day at the local pool. There are several outdoor pools in the Ann Arbor area including the three City of Ann Arbor pools.
Water Parks
Take it a step beyond the pool and visit a local water park. Enjoy slides, lazy rivers, wave pools, and more fun at various local water parks.
Lakes
Michigan is the Great Lakes state – so lakes are an obvious swimming choice. Sterling State Park in Monroe offers swimming on Lake Erie, or visit one of the many inland lakes near Ann Arbor. Check out our list of the Best Swimming Lakes near Ann Arbor.
Spray Scapes
A Splash Playground or spray scape is a great way for young kids to get wet. Rolling Hills has a splash playground as part of the water park. Blue Heron Bay is mostly a splash playground, but has a slide tower so we have it classified as a water park.
Milan opened a splash playground in late summer 2021 and there are several in Canton and Plymouth.
Wilson Park
Milan added a Splash Pad to Wilson Park last summer. It is now on for the season. Note it will be closed during the Milan Fair.
We did not get a chance to visit lat summer, but will add it to our list this year.
Below is a glimpse of the playground during construction.
At a Glance
Address: 89 Wabash St, Milan
Season: May 26-September
Price: Free
Plymouth Sprayscape at Township Park
The Plymouth Sprayscape is 2600 square feet and includes 24 water features.
The park also boasts a wooden play structure that resembles a fort. The kids always have a great time letting their imaginations run wild as they explore the structure.
At a Glance
Address: 46640 W. Ann Arbor Trail, Plymouth
Hours: 10a-7:30p
Season: Saturday of Labor Day-Memorial Day
Price: FREE!
Canton Heritage Park
Canton Heritage Park‘s is large park adjacent to Summit on the Park. The Splash Playground is near Summit on the Park Community Center with the Heritage Hideout playground is a short walk away, but not within sightlines.
We visited once years ago with a group when my daughter was not a big fan of Splash Playgrounds. At the time, my impression was that the splash playground was fairly small.
At a Glance
Address:1150 South Canton Center Dr, Canton
Hours: 11a-8p
Season: Memorial Day0-Labor Day
Price: FREE!
Flodin Park
Flodin Park in Canton features a splash pad and a playground.
While I haven’t been to Flodin Park yet, I love that the splash pad and playground right next to each other. My daughter was not as big of a fan of the splash pads as her friends and we would often be alone at the playground. With the proximity of the playground and the splash pad, parents can supervise both from the same spot.
Checkout this profile of Flodin Park from Metro Detroit Mommy.
At a Glance
Address:43399 Saltz Rd, Canton
Hours: 11a-8p
Season: Memorial Day0-Labor Day
Price: FREE!
Free Parks for Splashing
Our Parks for Splashing article includes free admission parks that have creeks, rivers, or lakes. These parks offer splashing all year with no admission fees! Note 2021 has been a very wet year. River and creek levels are higher than normal and faster moving. Use caution.
Go Tubing!
Tubing is another great way to get wet. We love tubing the Argo Cascades. You will definitely get wet and it an be quite a workout to stay in the current. For a more relaxing tubing experience, you can tube from the bottom of the cascades to Island Park. Tubing to Delhi Metropark is another relaxing tubing experience. You can start from Dexter-Huron Metropark or we started from Zeeb Rd (there is a small lot where the river crosses Zeeb.
Get Wet at Home!
Getting wet at home is always fun – and can be very inexpensive.
There is no end to the ways that kids can get wet at home. Some ideas are to break out the sprinkler, water guns, sponges, water balloons, kiddie pool, slip & slide, and so much more. When my daughter was a preschooler, I even filled her sled with water to give her a place to play with boats and splash a little. It was easier to fill and move than a kiddie pool since it doesn’t hold as much water and is designed to slide.
Or go big and invest in an inflatable water park.
Indoor Pools
Check out our Indoor Pool Guide for indoor swim options. Indoor Pools include Mack Pool, Goldfish Swim School, Meri Lou Murray Rec Center, and Saline Rec Center.
It also includes indoor water parks like Splash Universe and Splash Village.It does not include pools that are only accessible to those with memberships..
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