Nashville's Metro Parks department maintains a variety of seasonal outdoor pools and year-round indoor pools, including Wave Country, pictured here:
But my favorite kind of water park is what is known as "a sprayground" or a "spray park". The best part: They're FREE!
What Is A Sprayground?
A sprayground is a water playground consisting of a multiple groups of spray features surrounded by a kid-friendly playing surface.Spraygrounds are typically automated and use nozzles and shower-type heads to distribute the water. They sometimes include interactive features, as well. For example, some sprays can be activated by users touching a button which begins a computerized water sequence.
I've seen them in other cities before. But I think I was first introduced to them at Sea World, Disney's Magic Kingdom, and places like that.
Until recently, I didn't realize they were actually meant to be played in and enjoyed by people of all ages.
I always thought they were just for looks and that select tourists and local residents utilized them as harmless water parks for their children.
Boy, was I wrong. Nashville's spraygrounds are meant to be splashed in! Spray parks are generally very safe for small children to play in -- with adult supervision.
Where To Find Spray Parks
So, gather up the kids and head to the nearest spray park. Here are some choices for Nashville area spraygrounds:Kirkpatrick Spray Ground
620 S. 9th Street
Nashville, Tennessee
(615) 862-8453 or (615) 862-8480
Opens May 25; Closes Labor Day
Official hours are 9AM to 6:30PM Monday thru Friday and 10AM to 3PM on weekends.
Watkins Sprayground
Jo Johnston Avenue at 17th Avenue North
Nashville, Tennessee
(615) 862-8469
Opens May 25; Closes Labor Day
Official hours are 9AM to 6:30PM Monday thru Friday and 10AM to 3PM on weekends.
Don Fox Community Park
955 Baddour Parkway
Lebanon, Tennessee
(615) 449-0303
According to Mrs. Cheap, "there's a wading pool designed for young children, water umbrellas and other fun spraying features."
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We go to the Watkins Park Sprayground whenever we find ourselves in West Nashville. It's just off Charlotte Avenue, behind the hospital district. It does border a public housing project, so exercise caution and be careful to lock your car.
There always seem to be large groups of daycare and preschool children enjoying the sprayground, but we've never been crowded out. They are FUN!
For similar splashing fun, you can also head downtown to the Bicentennial Mall's fountains and symbolic river area.