As summer approaches and school vacations begin to take shape, Grants Pass families will soon have another opportunity to enjoy outdoor recreation as the city’s popular water play attractions officially reopen for the season.
Beginning Friday, May 29, the Spray Park at Riverside Park and the splash pad at Morrison Centennial Park will welcome visitors daily from noon until 7 p.m. Although weather forecasts for the opening weekend may not feature scorching temperatures, city officials are moving forward with the seasonal opening schedule, ensuring the facilities are ready whenever warmer days arrive.
Both water play areas have become popular gathering spots for local families seeking a safe and affordable way for children to cool off during Southern Oregon’s summer months. Designed with interactive features and water conservation in mind, the facilities offer a variety of attractions suitable for children of different ages.
The splash pads operate using participant-activated controls. Visitors simply press a control button, which activates the water features for a three-minute cycle before automatically shutting off. This design helps reduce unnecessary water usage while allowing guests to enjoy the attractions whenever they choose.
At the smaller children’s splash area, younger visitors will find a collection of colorful and engaging features designed specifically for smaller age groups. Attractions include the Flower Shower, Ride and Spray Horse, Ride and Spray Zebra, Water Weave, and Pop Dropps. These interactive elements provide gentle water play opportunities while encouraging movement, exploration, and imaginative play.
The larger splash pad offers a more expansive experience, featuring several larger-scale attractions and water effects. Among the most popular features are the Three Bucket Fill N Spill system, Mission Hill Showers, Water Fence, Water Arch, and a variety of ground-level water sprayers that create unexpected bursts and patterns of water throughout the play area.
The centerpiece of the larger splash pad is the Tidal Barrel, a feature that has become a favorite among local children and visiting families alike. The oversized barrel gradually fills with water before tipping and releasing its contents in a dramatic splash. When it empties, water cascades around the base of the structure, creating a circular curtain of water extending approximately 16 feet in every direction. The anticipation of the barrel tipping often draws crowds of children waiting eagerly beneath it for the next soaking.
The reopening of the city’s spray park and splash pads signals the unofficial start of summer recreation season in Grants Pass. Alongside local parks, playgrounds, and river access points, the facilities provide residents with another family-friendly option for enjoying the outdoors during the warmer months ahead.
Whether temperatures remain mild or summer heat arrives early, local families can once again look forward to cooling off, making memories, and enjoying a classic seasonal tradition at Riverside Park and Morrison Centennial Park throughout the months ahead.