As the dog days of summer settle in, Arlington Parks & Recreation offers a respite from the relentless heat with four splash pads, including three that are free of charge, to provide locals with a cool escape. According to the official City of Arlington website, these splash pads opened on Memorial Day weekend and welcome visitors every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Labor Day, then switching to weekends only through September's end.
These family-friendly parks have splash pads with distinct features; Don Misenhimer Park offers fountains and fixtures tailored for the youngest crowd such as spraying palm trees and a dolphin fountain, also boasting other amenities like playgrounds and a basketball court, Brantley Hinshaw Park serves up spirals, spraying tunnels and a picnic area, while California Lane Park challenges with its spinning water play station surrounded by sports facilities and shaded areas. The Beacon Recreation Center provides a splash pad with a unique water maze for those with a membership or for visitors who purchase an $8 day pass, this venue keeps the fun going into October, depending on the weather, and its hours are slightly different, opening from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and on Sundays from noon.
In pursuit of safe and pleasant experiences for all, the Arlington Parks and Recreation Department instigated the Bakari Williams Protocol in 2022 with the intention of rigorous maintenance and upgraded aquatics facility infrastructure. This initiative entails extra layers of scrutiny for chemical testing, controllers, and the implementation of secondary sanitation systems, according to officials, to ensure that each splash pad remains a secure and enjoyable environment for the public's use.
