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Philly's best pools and spray fountains to splash in this summer

Cool off in these beloved (and in some cases, kind of hidden) splash spots

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Summer is here, so thank goodness that it's coming up on pool season in Philly, which has more pools per capita than any other city in the country. And, with all the humidity, it’s a great city to cool off.

This year we had to take out one spot, the Swann Fountain at Logan Circle because technically you’re not allowed to get in the water. But never fear, there are plenty more (legal) splash pads to cool down in Philly and Curbed Philly has put together a list of the best of them for you.

So grab a towel, the kids, and head on out to one of the many splash parks, fountains, and pools in this city right now.

Got any additions to the map? Be a good neighbor and share. Hit up the comments or send us an email.

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Dilworth Park Fountain

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One of the most popular of Center City Philly splash zones is the Dilworth Park fountain at City Hall. Rows upon rows of water jets make a super-fun maze for kids (and their parents!) to run through. A public art piece is supposed to debut this July, too.

Sister Cities Park

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Sister Cities has two areas to relax and cool your jets. There is a "stream" fed pool to dip your feet in and there is the playful 10-spout fountain at the main entrance.

Francisville Playground

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Francisville Playground became the first pool to participate in the city's Swim Philly program, which reimagines a select number of pools as engaging civic spaces. And, with summer right around the corner, the playground is gearing up for its big opening day on June 20.

Roberto Clemente Playground

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This sprayground is incredible. Not only does it have water-shooting tropical trees, it also has this amazing view of the Philly skyline. Plus, it’s one of the earliest places to open up this year. All through the rest of June the sprayground is open from 1 to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. After that, expect it to be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.

A post shared by Chuck Bonfig (@chuckseye) on

O'Connor Pool

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O'Conner Pool is one of the best public pools in the city. It's near the Schuylkill River Park and all the fun on South Street West. It returns again this year as part of the Swim Philly program, reimagining it as a "vibrant public space," and the free kids summer swim team has already started this month. Get more information on their website.

A post shared by @phillypublicpools on

Seger Park

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This playground at 10th and Lombard is always bumpin' with families. The sprayground, which turned on in late May, is just an added bonus to the park, which also features a dog park, basketball courts, and tennis courts.

A post shared by Ed Curtis (@edcurtis86) on

Spruce Street Harbor Park

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When you're not lounging in a hammock or hanging out in the beer garden at Spruce Street Harbor, find one of the many fountains in this seasonal pop-up park and cool off.

Headhouse Square Fountain

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This one is small, but fun. On extremely hot days, run through the renovated fountain and then head into Wawa to stand in the A/C.

Herron Park Sprayground

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With multiple areas to get your spray on, families from all over come to Herron Park to cool off here. The sprayground is open now, according to Facebook, and you can check out the hours here. As one commenter suggests: bring some chairs and water toys.

A post shared by A Child Grows (@a_child_grows) on

Sacks Pool

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This South Philly pool sits on the 3.7-acre Solomon Sacks Playground, so there are basketball courts and baseball fields to play around when you need to dry off. Jefferson Square Park is also across the street.

A post shared by @phillypublicpools on

Shot Tower Sprayground

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This one is also pretty new as it debuted a few years ago. It's small, but gets the job done. It gets steamy down by the Delaware in Queen Village. Plus, it just opened up for the summer with hours starting at 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.

East Poplar Pool

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Bathe in the cool waters of East Poplar Rec's pool and bask in the glory of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception across the street. You might even catch a tan off of its golden dome.

A post shared by mel.joy (@phillystomp) on

NoLibs Rec Pool

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Located near 3rd and Fairmount, it's a close-knit pool nestled within a densely populated neighborhood. Be mindful of the pool rules, listed here.

A post shared by @phillypublicpools on

Shissler Rec Center

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The sprayground at Shissler Rec Center opened in 2013 with some help from the Mural Arts Program and the city. Kids love this place, which goes by the theme "Take me to the River."

John B. Kelly Pool (Please Touch Museum)

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The John B. Kelly Pool in Centennial Park offers a big pool with swimming lanes, plus a great backdrop of the Please Touch Museum. There's a great lawn to camp out on, as well.

Lee Cultural Center

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Philly Public Pools calls Lee Cultural Center's pool "the true Philly public pool lover’s pool." It also happens to be part of the city's Swim Philly program, so expect lots of programming like yoga classes to be offered throughout the summer.

A post shared by @phillypublicpools on

48th & Woodland Splash Park

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We defy you to not have any fun running through a water shooting rainbow. It's impossible.

A post shared by Happy Hudson (@heyhappyhudson) on

Pleasant Playground

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Bonus: Mt. Airy Playground at 7001 Germantown Avenue also has a big spray fountain.

A post shared by GoMtAiry (@gomtairy) on

Venice Island

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Venice Island in Manayunk is a park, recreation, and performance center that is managed primarily by the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department. Designed by local landscape architecture firm Andropogon Associates, the park includes state-of-the-art water features that demonstrate water retention in an urban environment, as well as recreational facilities for basketball and outdoor performances, space for a dock, outdoor sculptures, and a theater. It’s certainly one of the coolest (get it?) places on this list.

A post shared by Venice Island (@venice_island) on

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Dilworth Park Fountain

One of the most popular of Center City Philly splash zones is the Dilworth Park fountain at City Hall. Rows upon rows of water jets make a super-fun maze for kids (and their parents!) to run through. A public art piece is supposed to debut this July, too.

Sister Cities Park

Sister Cities has two areas to relax and cool your jets. There is a "stream" fed pool to dip your feet in and there is the playful 10-spout fountain at the main entrance.

Francisville Playground

Francisville Playground became the first pool to participate in the city's Swim Philly program, which reimagines a select number of pools as engaging civic spaces. And, with summer right around the corner, the playground is gearing up for its big opening day on June 20.

Roberto Clemente Playground

This sprayground is incredible. Not only does it have water-shooting tropical trees, it also has this amazing view of the Philly skyline. Plus, it’s one of the earliest places to open up this year. All through the rest of June the sprayground is open from 1 to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday. After that, expect it to be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.

A post shared by Chuck Bonfig (@chuckseye) on

O'Connor Pool

O'Conner Pool is one of the best public pools in the city. It's near the Schuylkill River Park and all the fun on South Street West. It returns again this year as part of the Swim Philly program, reimagining it as a "vibrant public space," and the free kids summer swim team has already started this month. Get more information on their website.

A post shared by @phillypublicpools on

Seger Park

This playground at 10th and Lombard is always bumpin' with families. The sprayground, which turned on in late May, is just an added bonus to the park, which also features a dog park, basketball courts, and tennis courts.

A post shared by Ed Curtis (@edcurtis86) on

Spruce Street Harbor Park

When you're not lounging in a hammock or hanging out in the beer garden at Spruce Street Harbor, find one of the many fountains in this seasonal pop-up park and cool off.

Headhouse Square Fountain

This one is small, but fun. On extremely hot days, run through the renovated fountain and then head into Wawa to stand in the A/C.

Herron Park Sprayground

With multiple areas to get your spray on, families from all over come to Herron Park to cool off here. The sprayground is open now, according to Facebook, and you can check out the hours here. As one commenter suggests: bring some chairs and water toys.

A post shared by A Child Grows (@a_child_grows) on

Sacks Pool

This South Philly pool sits on the 3.7-acre Solomon Sacks Playground, so there are basketball courts and baseball fields to play around when you need to dry off. Jefferson Square Park is also across the street.

A post shared by @phillypublicpools on

Shot Tower Sprayground

This one is also pretty new as it debuted a few years ago. It's small, but gets the job done. It gets steamy down by the Delaware in Queen Village. Plus, it just opened up for the summer with hours starting at 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.

East Poplar Pool

Bathe in the cool waters of East Poplar Rec's pool and bask in the glory of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception across the street. You might even catch a tan off of its golden dome.

A post shared by mel.joy (@phillystomp) on

NoLibs Rec Pool

Located near 3rd and Fairmount, it's a close-knit pool nestled within a densely populated neighborhood. Be mindful of the pool rules, listed here.

A post shared by @phillypublicpools on

Shissler Rec Center

The sprayground at Shissler Rec Center opened in 2013 with some help from the Mural Arts Program and the city. Kids love this place, which goes by the theme "Take me to the River."

John B. Kelly Pool (Please Touch Museum)

The John B. Kelly Pool in Centennial Park offers a big pool with swimming lanes, plus a great backdrop of the Please Touch Museum. There's a great lawn to camp out on, as well.

Lee Cultural Center

Philly Public Pools calls Lee Cultural Center's pool "the true Philly public pool lover’s pool." It also happens to be part of the city's Swim Philly program, so expect lots of programming like yoga classes to be offered throughout the summer.

A post shared by @phillypublicpools on

48th & Woodland Splash Park

We defy you to not have any fun running through a water shooting rainbow. It's impossible.

A post shared by Happy Hudson (@heyhappyhudson) on

Pleasant Playground

Bonus: Mt. Airy Playground at 7001 Germantown Avenue also has a big spray fountain.

A post shared by GoMtAiry (@gomtairy) on

Venice Island

Venice Island in Manayunk is a park, recreation, and performance center that is managed primarily by the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department. Designed by local landscape architecture firm Andropogon Associates, the park includes state-of-the-art water features that demonstrate water retention in an urban environment, as well as recreational facilities for basketball and outdoor performances, space for a dock, outdoor sculptures, and a theater. It’s certainly one of the coolest (get it?) places on this list.

A post shared by Venice Island (@venice_island) on