With summer days in the 90’s recently, it may be time to hit up your local splash pad or community pool to cool down! Here are some favorites, all located in the south metro area of the Twin Cities! These water-based attractions are all just minutes from our Montessori schools and child care centers in Lakeville and Prior Lake, so be sure to check them out with your family!
Pools & Water Parks
Apple Valley Aquatic Center
$13/person, under 12 months is free
Zero-depth entry pool, lazy river, lap lanes, splash features, water slides and more!
Apple Valley: Redwood Community Pool
$5/person, under 12 months is free
Open swim is 12:30pm-4pm daily.
Chaska Community Center Aquatics
$11/person (nonresident), 12 months and under are free
Zero-depth entry pool, caterpillar slide, splash elements, sauna/steam room and 4-lane lap pool with waterslide, rope swing and diving platform. Be sure to check the website for open swim hours and tot time!
Eagan: Cascade Bay
Half day admission is $13/adult and $11/child, under 12 months is free
Check online for hours, as they have two admission sessions (morning and afternoon) or full day admission options. Leisure pool with zero-depth entry, 6-lane lap pool, lazy river, body/tube slides, speed drop slides, mini slides for children under 42”, beach and more!
Inver Grove Heights: The Grove Aquatic Center
$9/adult, $6/child, 12 months and under free
Indoor water park featuring zero-depth entry pool, slides and water features; hot tub, 8-lane lap pool and dive boards.
Lakeville: Lifetime Fitness
$14/adult and $6.50/child.
Did you know that the Lifetime Fitness has a Lakeville resident daily pass available? No membership needed! Zero-depth entry pool, toys, waterslides and more.
Shakopee: Sandventure Aquatic Park
A sand beach, sand-bottom, chlorinated pool with three water slides and a diving board. Bring folding chairs if needed! They also permit infants and toddlers to play in the sand and swim in the zero-depth entry pool before the park opens to the public (9:15am-10:45am on Fridays and Saturdays), for a discounted rate of $5/child.
Shakopee: Indoor Aquatic Center
$10/child for non-residents, $5/child for residents
Zero-depth-entry leisure pool with play/splash features and a waterslide; also has a four-lane lap pool (check open swim hours). Check out the $5/child tot time for children ages 0-6!
Shakopee: Valleyfair’s Soak City
Open seasonally, Soak City is included in your admission to Valleyfair and includes a splash pool (zero-depth entry with a maximum depth of about 12-18”), a large splash pad and a wave pool and lazy river. There are several large water slides and body slides for the older children. Don’t forget that Valleyfair offers a free pre-k season pass for children up to age 6, with an adult season pass! If you’re visiting more than once a season, you will save money on the season pass as daily admission rates are about $50/person. Note: If you know a friend with a season pass, you may be able to get discount tickets through them (select Wednesdays are $25/pp, otherwise can be $35/pp).
Splash Pads
Apple Valley: Kelly Park
Several water play features with nearby picnic shelters and playground equipment!
Burnsville: Cliff Fen Park
2,000 sq ft splash pad with 12-15 water features; adjacent to picnic shelters, play equipment, volley ball courts, trails and more.
Burnsville: Nicollet Commons
The water feature is built into the landscaping and architecture of Nicollet Commons, with areas for wading and water falls. No spraying features or buckets.
Chaska: Firemen’s Park
This splash pad and playground are right beside the Clayhole Lake which has a small swimming beach!
Eagan: Splash Pad at Central Park
Ground spraying features, over-head fountains and buckets.
Eden Prairie: Round Lake
More west metro than south, this is still a fun park for families, although it is currently under construction as of summer 2023. There is a playground, splash pad and swimming beach all adjacent to one another, which gives a lot of options for play!
Eden Prairie: Nesbitt Preserve Splash Pad
Splash pad adjacent to park, trails, picnic areas and more!
Eden Prairie: Miller Park
Splash pad adjacent to playground, basketball court, picnic areas, fishing pier and more!
Jordan: Lagoon Park
Beach, splashpad, playground picnic shelters, grills
Lakeville: Avonlea Community Park
Due to open in 2024!
Rosemount: Central Park
3700 square feet with some moving water features, no standing water.
Shakopee: Lion’s Park
Adjacent to Sandventure Aquatic Oark and Fun For All Playground, this small splash pad is open all summer long.
