Get your swimsuits out: Wichita’s splash pads are open, and pools open on Memorial Day

It’s finally (maybe) warm enough for water fun.

Wichita plans to open most of its public pools on Memorial Day. Most splash pads are already open.

The opening of College Hill Pool is expected to be delayed until a few days after the holiday. Renovations at the pool, part of phase 3 of the city’s $22 million aquatics master plan, were scheduled to be completed by Monday but have been slowed by rain.

“The way we do construction and work with the construction companies they want to try to get everything in as tight of a schedule as possible and when something like this happens it just blows up the schedule,” said Troy Houtman, director of parks and recreation for the city.

Updates on the opening of College Hill Pool can be found at Wichita.gov/aquatics.

The $1.98 million renovation is replacing the pool’s filtration system, replacing the pool deck, renovating the guard house, installing a gender neutral bathroom and adding an initial lane to provide more space for the pool’s active swim team.

Other projects in this phase — new splash pads at Harrison Park, 1300 S. Webb, and Planeview Park, 2819 Fees — will open by the end of June.

Harrison Park’s $1 million splash pad will feature a water lobster play structure and two small slides with a landing area. Planeview’s $1.3 million splash pad will feature a scorpion water play structure that sprays water for kids to play under.

Buffalo, Evergreen and Osage Park opened their splash pads on May 14 when the weather was hot, then closed when the weather cooled. They reopened Friday, along with several others. The Riverside Park splash pad was closed for maintenance Friday morning but is now up and running.

Lincoln Park’s splash pad will be closed for the summer because of a pump that is in disrepair. The city is working on getting the parts to make the repair but still needs to find the source of the problem, Houtman said. Because of supply chain issues, the materials and equipment that are needed to make the repair are on back order.

The city’s splash pads will remain open through the end of October and the pools will remain open through Aug. 14.

Houtman said the city pools are on target to have enough lifeguards this summer, with 12 to 15 at each pool.

Swimming pools in Wichita

Cost: Daily admission is $3 for children and adults. A $15 family rate applies for eight people. One must be an adult. Season passes can be purchased at any of the city’s pools: $200 for a family pass for four and $70 for an individual pass. Coupon books are available for purchase at $80 for 50 coupons or $50 for 25 coupons. One coupon admits one person. See free swim days for each pool below.

Hours: 1-5:15 p.m. and 6:30-8:30p.m. Monday-Thursday; 1-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday. The city may close pools at any time because of weather conditions, low attendance or water quality issues.

Other things to know: Children 7 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who is 16 or older. Parents must be in the water with children and within arms reach. Infants must wear properly fitted swim diapers in the pool.

Aley Pool, 1800 S. Seneca, 316-838-9685

Where it is: In Aley Park off of Seneca

What’s there: Amenities include colorful water fountains, a drop slide, several lanes for competitive swimming and a concession stand. The pool is ADA-accessible and includes a lift and steps.

Swim for free: June 12

College Hill Pool, 304 S. Circle Drive, 316-838-9687

Where it is: In a residential area of College Hill, south of Douglas. Turn off Douglas and into Circle Drive.

What’s there: Neighborhood pool features a waterfall mushroom and a bathhouse. The pool is undergoing renovations and is estimated to be open four days past Memorial Day.

Swim for free: June 5

Harvest Pool, 9500 W. Provincial, 316-838-9688

Where it is: Off 13th and Tyler next to McCollom Elementary School

What’s there: This pool features a tall water slide, swim lanes, a shallow play area, a toddler slide and lounge and shade areas.

Swim for free: June 19

McAfee Pool, 1240 E. 14th St. 316-838-9690

Where it is: In McAdams Park between 13th and 17th streets, next to the I-135 overpass.

What’s there: The pool is ADA-compliant. It has one large water slide and a small eagle-shaped slide in the shallow area. It has shade areas and a concession stand.

Swim for free: July 3

Minisa Pool, 1350 N. Jeanette, 316-838-9694

Where it is: Off of 13th Street near Wichita North High School.

What’s there: A drop slide, shade structures, a swim lane, a water bench and basketball and volleyball nets.

Swim for free: July 10

Orchard Pool, 1062 N. Clara, 316-838-9695

Where it is: In Orchard Park northwest of Ninth and West streets near Hadley Middle School.

What’s there: It has a slide, swimming lanes, shade structures and a rock climbing wall. It is ADA-compliant and has steps and a lift.

Swim for free: July 17

Splash pads in Wichita

Cost: Admission is free at every splash pad in Wichita.

Hours: Splash pads are open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

Other things to know: Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Skateboards, scooters and bikes are not allowed in the splash pad area. The city has the right to close a splash pad due to poor weather conditions and maintenance issues. Splash pads must also be vacated as soon as thunder or lightning occurs.

Boston Park, 6655 E. Zimmerly. An aviation-themed splash park with swings, airplane structures and water jets.

Buffalo Park, 10201 Hardtner. The splash pad features Kansas-themed structures, including a bison head sculpture and wheat stalk structures.

Edgemoor Park, 5813 E. Ninth St. This educational setup showcases the water cycle and features a rope hammock and boulders to sit on.

Evergreen Park, 2700 N. Woodland. The pad is Aztec-themed and has a water spray tower in the shape of an Aztec headdress and an Aztec embankment with a slide.

Fairmount Park, 1647 N. Yale. A traditional splash pad with water buckets and spray guns. The pad has animal-like features including a frog and dragon. Seating and shade are available.

Linwood South Park, 1901 S. Kansas. A fake water stream extends from a water wheel. In-ground jets and fountains are featured. Rock structures are available for seating.

Old Town Plaza, 301 N. Mead. In-ground water fountains in the middle of the plaza.

Osage Park, 2121 W. 31st St. South. A traditional splash pad that has water buckets and in-ground fountains.

Riverside Central Park, 720 Nims. This splash pad has a plaza that features in-ground fountains.

This story was originally published May 27, 2022 at 4:45 AM.