My daughter and I have checked out quite a few Boston area local spray/splash parks over the last few summers. A roundup of our top local picks as well as a few local lists to find others are included below. Please share your local favorites in the comments. We are always looking for new fun spots!

Beaver Brook Reservation (Trapelo Road, Belmont MA)Features large spray area with concrete surface and large cool rocks with multiple jets of various spray heights. Full sun on the spray deck (one end has shaded seating) so bring your sun hats, water shoes, and sunglasses. My girl loves to come armed with buckets to fill up. There is a covered / shaded picnic area and a sand covered playground with swings, slide, etc.  We don’t often hit the playground since it is very sunny and we prefer to bring our dollars and grab a popsicle from the ice cream truck frequently parked nearby. Parking on street in surrounding area does get crowded, so earlier and weekdays are best. Clean and fun. Open Daily May 24 – Sep 1 from 9:30am – 7pm. 

Filippello (Domenick) Park (Arlington Street, Watertown MA): Small and full-sun spray park with a variety of sprayers. You can also check out the playing fields with nearby tot lot and sunny playground. The area also boasts picnic tables and restrooms (a bonus). Easy street parking and a lot on nearby Grove St.  Sprinklers are user activated. The park is a short drive from a great soft-serve ice cream / pizza spot (Celebrity). Water is on Memorial Day to Labor Day from Dawn to Dusk. 

Frog Pond Spray Park (Boston, MA): The iconic downtown gem. Large shallow spray pool with picnic area, cafe, super busy playground and the nearby carousel, not to mention the splendid public garden and Common. I wish it opened earlier in the summer. Head in to the City and make a day of it! Walkable from the Green Line MBTA stop at Park Street or Arlington. Water is on July 1st – Labor Day.

Reverend Thomas Williams Park (Cedar St, Cambridge, MA): A great little find. Small asphalt spray area that is user-operated. Part shade/part sun. Next to a shady fenced playground with seats for picnics, basketball court and large swing area. There are often community owned plastic buckets, riding toys, and other items that will entertain the under 5 set. An easy walk from Mass. Ave (parking and busses). We often combine a visit here with a trip to Verna’s Donuts. Eat the sugar and burn the sugar! Win-win. For a map see the link below to City of Cambridge Water Play locations. Water is on Memorial Day to Labor Day. Park hours are generally dawn to dusk.

Fitch Spray Park (14 Ash Street – Waltham, MA): Opened in 2012 this is a relatively new park. Good spray area with variety of features. I love the umbrella shaded seats and there is a area just for toddlers. Water is on late June through August and hours are usually 10am-7pm weekdays and 12pm – 5pm weekends.

Here are some other great online sites for finding local pools, spray decks and such. Many of the local parks also have reviews on Yelp that can provide helpful tips and tricks for families wondering whether to visit or not.

City of Cambridge Waterplay Map 

Boston Central Spray Parks & Pools Site

Playground Hunt

Where do you love to play in the spray?