Plunge into summer: Metro Atlanta pools, splash pads and water parks

With schools preparing to wrap up for the summer and temperatures rising, metro Atlanta pools, splash pads and water parks are about to open for the season for a cool respite. Choose the locations with the activities that best suit your mood, whether that means lazily floating, swimming some laps, barreling down a slide and splashing down or taking the kids to romp in a splash pad.

This year, there are at least two new water features with plenty of variety to enjoy: Henry County’s sprawling Aquatic Center and Water Park are set to open in June and will offer amenities for kids and adults, like a lazy river, several slides and a wave rider. The water park will be open to the public Wednesdays-Sundays, while Mondays and Tuesdays are reserved for summer camps and seniors.

Smyrna has also debuted a new splash pad in River Line Park with multiple zones suitable for children and teens. A concession stand will keep hungry families fed while playing in the water. It’s currently open on the weekends, but starting May 25, the splash pad’s hours will expand to Wednesday-Monday with three sessions available to book.

For more chances to splash away the summer heat, visit the following metro Atlanta pools, splash pads and water parks. If you find a location you love and plan to make frequent visits, many have season passes that might help you save money.

ExploreNeon swimsuits won’t float a bad safety plan this summer

Credit: Photo courtesy of Piedmont Park Conservancy

Credit: Photo courtesy of Piedmont Park Conservancy

Piedmont Park Pool/Legacy Fountain Splash Pad

The Piedmont Park Pool was resurfaced, tiled and painted last year, so it’s ready for families to beat the heat with summer swims. Swim in four lap lanes, float on its current channel or chill on its landscaped deck. While you’re at the park, make sure to play at the Legacy Fountain Splash Pad, which has more than 70 jets and is free to use. Season pool pass holders can enjoy extended swimming hours until 8 p.m. during the week and on Sundays, 9 p.m. on Fridays and 7 p.m. on Saturdays.

May 24-Aug. 2. 10 a.m.-4:45 p.m. weekdays. Noon-4:45 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. Aug. 3-Sept. 7. 3-4:45 p.m. weekdays. Noon-4:45 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. Prices are $5 one-time access fee per person. Memberships, $150-$485. 400 Park Drive NE, Atlanta. piedmontpark.org.

Credit: Photo courtesy of the city of Brookhaven

Ashford Park Splash Pad

Bring the kids to this Brookhaven splash pad to press buttons that activate spray features and a water curtain. If you’d like to take a break, walls on which to sit surround the splash pad. You can also pack a picnic for the family to enjoy in the pavilion with ceiling fans and tables that’s on the hill above the splash pad.

Through Sept. 30. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. Free. Ashford Park, 2980 Redding Road NE, Brookhaven. 404-637-0514. brookhavenga.gov/422/Aquatics

Credit: Photo courtesy of Cobb County Government

Seven Springs

This Cobb County water park has a large outdoor pool, two twisting and turning slides, a lazy river and a splash pad area with zero-depth entry. Seven Springs is open in two daily sessions, each of which requires a separate admission fee.

May 25-July 28. Sessions from noon-3 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. daily. July 29-Sept. 2 open on weekends only.

Prices for Cobb County residents are $6 for adults, $4 for children ages 3-17, and $3 for seniors ages 55 and up. Nonresidents pay $9 for adults, $6 for children and $4.50 for seniors. Season passes start at $42.50. 3820 Macedonia Road, Powder Springs. 770-528-4035, cobbcounty.gov/seven-springs-water-park

Credit: Courtesy of Henry County

Henry County Aquatic Center

Henry County’s new aquatic center is set to open in early June with indoor and outdoor pools and a water park for those hot summer days. The water park will feature a 30-foot slide tower with four different slides, a lazy river, a wave rider and a kiddie pool. People of all ages can enjoy an outdoor lap pool, an indoor competition pool and a food truck concession area.

Aquatic Center. Open year-round. 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays. Prices for children are $5 for residents and $10 for nonresidents. Entry fees for adults are $10 for residents and $15 for nonresidents. Prices for seniors are $30 per year for residents and $60 per year for nonresidents. Memberships are $200-$300.

Water Park. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. 1-6 p.m. Sundays. General admission tickets are $25 for residents and $35 for nonresidents. Tickets for seniors and veterans are $10 for residents and $20 for nonresidents. Entry after 5 p.m. is $10 for residents and $20 for nonresidents.

1177 Henry Parkway Connector, McDonough. 770-288-7300, henrycountyga.gov/953/Aquatic-Center

Credit: Courtesy of Seth Akin

Smyrna Splash Pad

River Line Park in Smyrna debuted a multi-zone splash pad this year with a twirling water feature for water battles, a large splash bucket, shady structures, seating and concessions.

Through May 24 and Aug. 3-Sept. 7. Sessions from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 1:30-4:30 p.m., 5-8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. May 25-Aug. 2. Sessions from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., 1:30-4:30 p.m., 5-8 p.m. Wednesday-Monday.

Prices are $2-$3 per child under 16 and $3-$5 per adult. Memberships are $55-$130. 6043 Oakdale Road SE, Mableton. smyrnasplash.connectngo.com/en

Credit: Photo courtesy of Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation

Bogan Park Aquatic Center

Open year-round, this Buford aquatic center provides a needed respite in the summer months with a lap pool as well as an indoor leisure pool with zero-depth entry, a giant water slide and water play structures.

Indoor leisure play pool: 3-6 p.m. Monday-Friday. Noon-6 p.m. Saturdays. 1-6 p.m. Sundays.

Lap pool: 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and 7:10-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Noon-6 p.m. Saturdays. 1-6 p.m. Sundays.

Daily admission for Gwinnett residents $4.25-$6.50, nonresidents $8.25-$12.50. 2723 N. Bogan Road, Buford. 678-277-0853, gwinnettcounty.com.

Wills Park Pool

Take a dip in the zero-depth entry leisure pool in Alpharetta, dive from 1-meter and 3-meter boards and join in the fun at interactive play stations and a water slide. Locker rooms are available for added convenience.

May 23-Aug. 2. Open daily. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays. Noon-6 p.m. Sundays. Noon-5 p.m. Mondays. Noon-8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday.

Aug. 3-Sept. 6. Open Saturdays and Sundays. Prices are $10 for nonresidents per day, $5 for residents; adults 55 and up are $4 for nonresidents and $2 for residents; children 3 and under free. 1815 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta. 678-297-6107, alpharetta.ga.us.

Credit: Photo courtesy of Marietta Parks & Recreation/Maggi Moss

Sprayground at Elizabeth Porter Park

Let the kids cool off with water cannons and other features at the Sprayground and play on the swings at Marietta’s Elizabeth Porter Park. A low surrounding wall lets adults sit while they watch their charges play.

Through May 24. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Fridays-Sundays. May 26-Sept. 6. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays.

Sept. 11-21. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Fridays-Sundays. Prices are $2 for Cobb County residents, $3 for nonresidents. 370 Montgomery St. NE, Marietta. 770-794-5601, mariettaga.gov.

Hapeville Splash Pad

Let the kids romp in the splash pad and play on the swing set located adjacent to the area. Benches and large umbrellas help create a comfortable place to sit while you keep an eye on the kids.

May 27-Sept. 2. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays. Free. Tom E. Morris Sports Complex, 3415 Claire Drive, Hapeville. 404-669-2136. hapeville.org/663/splash-pad.

College Park Recreation Center pools

Two public pools are available for swimming in College Park, and they both host public swim times as well as designated family swim dates and times. Activities run through July 25, and the pools are closed on Sundays as well as on July 4.

June 1-July 25. Public swim 1-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays. $2. Family Swim 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. $50. Hugh C. Conley Recreation Center, 3636 College St., College Park. 404-669-3773. Tracey Wyatt Recreation Center, 2300 Godby Road, College Park. 404-669-9206. collegeparkrca.com/pools.

Duncan Park Pool and Splash Pad

Fairburn’s Duncan Park Pool hosts public swims daily as well as water aerobics classes twice a week.

May 23-Labor Day weekend. Daily public swims 1-6 p.m. $4-$6 per person per session, ages 2 and under free. Water aerobics classes 9-10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. $2-$5, summer passes $40-$90. Duncan Park, 6000 Rivertown Road, Fairburn. 770-964-2244, Ext. 114. fairburn.com/249/Duncan-Park-Pool-Splash-Pad

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