SEATTLE — Although an Excessive Heat Advisory is looming for parts of western Washington this weekend, not all spray parks will be open to the public.
Here's a look at the cities that will (and won't) have spray parks available for public use as the heat climbs.
Bellevue
Initially, Bellevue said it would not be opening its spray playgrounds at Crossroads and Downtown Park until Memorial Day Weekend. However, on Friday afternoon, the city said thanks to quick work by their parks staff, the spray pad will open early in time for the heat.
Bellevue will not staff lifeguards at beach parks until the third week in June. Due to that, officials advise against getting in the water.
REI will offer canoe, kayak and paddleboat rentals at Meydenbauer and Enatai.
Olympia
Heritage Fountain, located at 330 Fifth Avenue SW, is open year-round for public use. It operates from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., but between Memorial Day and Labor Day is in operation until 8 p.m.
The splash park at Woodruff Park will open June 1, according to the city. The new splash park at Lions Park is still under construction and the city hopes it will open in late June.
Seattle
Spray parks in Seattle will not be open to the public yet.
Spray parks will not be opening until May 27 due to the need for filter and tank cleaning and maintenance, Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) said in a Facebook post Thursday.
Once they open on May 27, spray parks will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day until Labor Day (Sep. 4). Below are all of the city's spray parks.
- Ballard Commons
- Beacon Mountain in Jefferson Park
- Georgetown Playfield
- Highland Park
- Judkins Park
- Miller Community Center/Playfield
- Northacres Park
- South Lake Union Park
- Yesler Terrace Park
- John C. Little Park
- Pratt Playground Spraypark
High temperatures for Seattle over the next five days are expected to be above 80 degrees, with Sunday and Monday having the potential to top 90 degrees.
Spray parks aren't the only outdoor water feature that won't be open this weekend in Seattle. Pre-season beaches won't open until Memorial Day, and the city's full complement of beaches will not open until June 24.
Outdoor and wading pools also will not be open until June 24.
SPR said it is currently among the many locales dealing with a national shortage of lifeguards and is encouraging anyone interested to apply as it seeks to hire for a number of positions.
Indoor pools and boat ramps are currently open, however, so there are some ways to get in the water this weekend in Seattle.
Tacoma
In the south Sound, Tacoma plans to open its 10 spray grounds this weekend from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and May 15 and 16 from 1-8 p.m. The spray grounds begin daily operations on Memorial Day.
Here are the city's spray park locations:
- Wright Sprayground
- Wapato Hills Sprayground
- Verlo Sprayground
- Titlow Sprayground
- South Park Sprayground
- SERO Campus Sprayground
- Norpoint Sprayground
- Kandle Sprayground
- Jefferson Sprayground
- Franklin Sprayground
2023 Sprayground Schedule
- May 6-21: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., weekends only
- May 27-Sept 4: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week
- Sept 9-Oct 1: 10 a.m. to 8 a.m., weekends only
The city's two outdoor pools won't open until later in the summer. Kandle Pool is scheduled to open July 6, while Stewart Heights Pool will open July 5.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.