Splash pads, Celebration Square fountain open for the season in Mississauga

After some possible overnight and early Friday morning rain in Mississauga, the forecast calls for sunny skies and a high of 28 C in the afternoon — pretty good timing for the annual opening of the city’s nearly three dozen splash pads.

Mississauga officials told INsauga.com 28 of the city’s 34 splash pads are scheduled to open to kids and other residents on Friday.

Four of the remaining six water-fun locations — Lisgar Green, Forest Glen, Elm Creek (Malton Community Centre) and Friendship Park — are under construction and will open at a later date, a City of Mississauga spokesperson said in an email.

Splash pads at Pheasant Run and Jack Darling Memorial parks, meanwhile, are in the process of being repaired and will also open later.

The city said it’s also planning to open the popular Celebration Square fountain and wading pool in the downtown core on Friday.

The splash pads and Celebration Square amenities have become popular spring and summer cooling-off spots over the years for many Mississauga residents looking to escape the heat on hot days.

A particular hit with kids, the spray pads and Celebration Square’s wading pool will be open throughout the spring and summer well into September. The spray pads open daily at 9 a.m.

“Spray pads offer a unique mix of fun, safety and convenience that makes them a great summer activity, a refreshing escape from the heat and a fun way to cool off,” city officials said in an earlier news release. “They are free to use, making them an affordable and fun option for families. Unlike pools, spray pads have no standing water, making them a safe option for children of all ages, including those who don’t know how to swim.”

The city has also said amenities likes spray pads in parks offer important benefits to neighbourhoods and residents, noting such locations:

• serve as gathering spots where people can socialize
• encourage physical activity
• offer an accessible space for all
• play a vital role in fostering a healthy urban environment

Spray pads in parks across the city will remain open until September, as long as the weather cooperates, the city said.

The Celebration Square wading pool is open from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. each day until Labour Day in early September. After Labour Day, it will shut down each night at 8 p.m.

Mississauga community services officials added spray pads are the perfect place for families to gather on warm or hot days.

“City spray pads feature interactive elements like water jets, sprinklers, sprayers, water dumping buckets, theme spray parks and fountains. These elements encourage imaginative play and fun,” they said in an earlier news release.

“Spray pads are typically designed to be accessible to children of all abilities, including those with mobility challenges. This inclusivity ensures every child has the chance to enjoy the fun. Visiting a spray pad gives children the opportunity to interact with others, helping them develop social skills in a playful setting.”

While Friday afternoon is likely to be in the high 20s, the rest of the holiday long weekend is expected to become progressively cooler.

For spray pad locations and other information, visit the city’s website or call the information line at 311.

(Cover photo of Celebration Square fountain: City of Mississauga)