Eight-year-old Eleanor Solein-Ancharski enjoyed the cool water sprays at Willis Tucker Park's splash pad on a sticky July afternoon,

She and her mom live in the area and visit the park regularly, snoho.com reported.

They're not alone. Three free splash pads within a short drive of Everett are running daily, giving families a no-cost way to beat the heat for the rest of summer.

Here's where to go, and when.

Willis Tucker Park, Snohomish

The biggest draw for many Everett families sits just outside city limits. Willis Tucker Park is a Snohomish County facility, and its splash pad runs 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Labor Day weekend, according to Snohomish County Parks.

The pad features nine water elements, including a silverflow cannon, power volcano, splash palace, and aqua jumper. It operates on a timer activated by touching the top of a yellow pedestal.

Three canvas kite shelters adjacent to the pad offer shaded seating for parents; unreserved shelters are first-come, first-served.

Admission is free. The county reserves the right to close the pad for chemical imbalance, equipment issues, or weather.

Forest Park, Everett

Everett's oldest park has a water playground at 802 E. Mukilteo Blvd. with 16 interactive water features, including a dedicated toddler area. Park directory sites list hours as 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Labor Day; contact City of Everett Parks & Recreation at (425) 257-8300 or [email protected] to confirm current 2026 hours. Admission is free.

Beyond the splash pad, Forest Park offers hiking trails through old-growth forest, an animal farm, a large playground, picnic shelters, and basketball and tennis courts.

Pacific Rim Plaza, Port of Everett waterfront

The Port of Everett announced on Facebook that its Pacific Rim Plaza splash pad is open daily, weather permitting, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. through the summer. The pad sits next to Hotel Indigo at 1028 13th St. in the Waterfront Place development, which drew 1.6 million visitors in 2024.

Free to use. Because the Port's pad is weather-dependent, it may close on cooler or rainy days without notice.

What to bring

All three locations are free, so the only essentials are swimsuits, sunscreen, and towels. None of the pads require reservations to use. Willis Tucker and Forest Park both have picnic areas nearby for families who want to pack lunch.

Willis Tucker and Forest Park close for the season after Labor Day, Monday, September 7. The Port of Everett has not announced a specific closing date for Pacific Rim Plaza.