Cool Off At These Splash Pads Across McHenry County

MCHENRY COUNTY, IL — Summer 2019 is off and running, and the hot weather is making itself known across the area. Splash pads across McHenry County can help keep the kiddos cool in the suburbs. These sites are an easier and quite convenient way to keep your little ones entertained this summer.

There are also some splash parks located within pools and aquatic centers, which could be a great option for families wanting to make a day of it, while others are located in parks, where there are other amenities and playgrounds worth checking out.

Splash Pads across McHenry County

LAKE IN THE HILLS:

• Sunset Park Splash Pad: 5200 Miller Road in Lake in the Hills. The hours of operations for the splash pad are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily (through Labor Day). The splash pad is free to visitors. There is also a great playground across the parking lot from the splash pad and plenty of room for running and trails for walking on at Sunset Park. The Splash Pad has a shelter, picnic tables, pop machine, and porta-potties nearby.

CRYSTAL LAKE:

• Veterans Acres Park "Acorn Alley" Splashpad: 431 Walkup Road in Crystal Lake. The hours of operation for the splash pad are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Labor Day. The splashpad is free and is located next to a playground on the west side of the park on Walkup Avenue near the Walkup/Route 176 intersection. Veterans Acres Park also has a great nature trail not far from the splash pad with a trail around a pond where there is often wildlife, birds, frogs, and turtles, to look out for.
• Swim Beach splash pad: 100 W. Woodstock Street in Crystal Lake. Admission to the beach, splash pad area is free for residents but non-residents pay $10 per person for adults and $5 per person after 4 p.m. There are also fees for seniors and youth ages 4 to 15, but children ages 3 and under are free. Playground with memory-foam decking, located in the Lake House Complex, adjacent to the Splash Park. More information!
• Woodscreek Park's "Crystal Castle" Splash Pad: Corner of Golf Course and Ackman roads. The hours of operation for the splash pad are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Labor Day. In addition to a splash pad, there is a playground nearby and a man-made stream area where kids and their parents can dip their feet in and cool off. A bike path which connects Fetzner Park, Woodscreek Park near Woodscreek Elementary School and eventually Winding Creek Park provides a total of 3.5 miles of paved path. A unique and protected wetland area surrounds a nearby pond.

HUNTLEY:

• Stingray Bay: 12219 Lois Lane, Huntley. Hours are 11:15 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:15 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, and 12:15 p.m. to 7 p.m. on the weekends. Children 3 and under are free, while admission for youth residents is $7, admission for youth non-residents is $9, admission for adult residents is $9 and $11 for adult non-residents. Lower pricing for Twilight hours; more information viaHuntley Park District's website.

Feel free to email the editors amie.schaenzer@patch.com or rebecca.bream@patch.com if you would like a local splash pad included in this roundup.