This summer has been all about being outside. We’ve spent our mornings at one outdoor attraction, then undoubtedly hit up another before dinner. Smale Riverfront Park, Washington Park, the Zoo, Pleasant Ridge’s 1000 Hands Playground, Highfield Discovery Garden… these have all been favorites in our weekly rotation.
Lately, with the temperatures and humidity heating up (it is July in Cincinnati, after all), splash parks have been especially appealing. Parky’s Ark Wet Playground is a fun change of pace from the typical splash pad or water park. It’s truly a “wet playground,” complete with play structures to climb on and a (water) slide. There’s lots of space to run around, and lots of ways to cool off!
In one corner, you can stand under a giant, raining mushroom. Or kids can climb on two dueling turtles who are spraying each other with steady streams of water. Of course, the misting rainbow is sure to be a big hit — this is basically the splash park version of running through a sprinkler! (Anyone remember doing that?)
Parky’s Ark Wet Playground is a little gem at our largest Great Park, Winton Woods. This centrally located park is the perfect place to meet up for a playdate; after your kids tire of the wet playground, there’s a very nice dry playground located right at the Harbor (you can see it from Parky’s Ark!). There are also lots of tables and benches overlooking Winton Harbor; my kids and I enjoyed a picnic lunch while admiring the ducks and boats — making for a picture-perfect summer day.
All the Great Parks wet playgrounds are open daily through August 20; and weekends only from August 21 through September 4. Admission is $3.50/child ages 2-12, or $8/3. Parky’s Ark is located at Winton Harbor: 10245 Winton Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45231.