**This post was last updated in 2020. Please continue to follow our blog for up-to-date seasonal guides!**
The COVID pandemic is putting a major damper on our summer. And even though it’s been super hot this week, splash pads, pools and swimming holes are not able to escape its wrath either.
I have to admit, this was one of the saddest guides I have had to update for the 2020 season. Most things on the list are closed for the summer. There are few that may still open, or that are open, with lots of rules in place. Expect those to be crowded and prepare yourself by getting there early.
It may be an unusual summer this year but this won’t be forever! There are lots of ways to still have fun – check out our list of what is open here. Or, go retro and bring back some of your childhood favorites: here, here and this updated idea here. I’ve also heard you can still find kiddie pools at Walmart and sometimes on the Facebook marketplace!
Stay cool, moms and dads! We’ll make it through this together!
In Connecticut
- Avon
Sycamore Hills Pool (635 West Avon Road): The pool is open by membership only this year. The pool opens on June 20, 2020.
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Barkhamstead
Lake McDonough: Due to COVID-19, the lake is only open for shore fishing. The beach area will remain closed until further notice.
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Bolton
Indian Notch Park Beach on Bolton Lake(Tolland Road): As of June 3, 2020, Indian Notch Park Beach will not be opening due to the restrictions imposed by social distancing requirements. The park is open for walk-ins but NO SWIMMING is allowed.
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Colchester
Colchester Recreation Complex & Spray Park (215 Old Hebron Road): At this time, the splash pad remains closed until Phase 3.
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Cromwell
Watrous Park (Geer Street): **The splash pad had a tentative opening on June 18, 2020. We could not confirm if this has reopened.** Located behind Cromwell High School. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. FREE and open to the public.
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East Lyme
Rocky Neck State Park: ** The beach is currently open with social distancing guidelines in place. Please note that the beach does tend to fill up fast and will be closed by the state once it reaches capacity.** Soft sandy beach, train watching, salt marsh viewing platforms, crabbing and fishing! This beach offers everything for the family. There is a daily parking fee for non-residents.
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East Windsor
East Windsor Park(51 Reservoir Avenue): The East Windsor Park Beach and Waterfront are currently closed.
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Ellington
Sandy Beach at Crystal Lake (Route 140): **The beach is open for ELLINGTON RESIDENTS ONLY this year** Located at the south end of the lake, this public beach is operated by the Town of Ellington and offers swimming and sunbathing. Admission for residents is $7 for adults, $5 for children. Social Distancing required. Cash is not accepted. Playground, picnic and volleyball areas are closed.
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Enfield
Enfield Lamagna Center (ALAC) Pool (19 North Main Street): **ENFIELD RESIDENTS ONLY** The pool is currently open by reservation only. This outdoor pool is located in the Thompsonville section of town (near the Town Hall).
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Hartford
**Unable to confirm but it appears the splash pads and pools remain closed at this time.**
Colt Park (92 Wethersfield Avenue): Featuring two outdoor pools and a spray pad. Free.
Goodwin Park (1130 Maple Avenue) : Featuring a spray pad, playscape and athletic fields. Free.
Pope Park (Pope Park Drive): Featuring a spray pad and playscape in the north end of the park, and a swimming pool and playscape in the main park. Free.
Keney Park (280 Tower Avenue): Featuring multiple spray pads. Free.
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Madison
Hammonasset Beach State Park: ** The beach is currently open with social distancing guidelines in place. Please note that the beach does tend to fill up fast and will be closed by the state once it reaches capacity.** Enjoy over 2 miles of swimming and relaxing in the sun! There is a daily parking fee for non-residents.
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Middlebury
Quassy Amusement Park & Waterpark (2132 Middlebury Road): Offering amusement rides and a water park with water rides, a splash station, and a beach. Currently open daily with varying hours (see website for specific hours). Admission for use of the full park including the water park is $29.71 for adults, and $25.71 for kids; use of just the water park is $22.71 for all ages. See their website for additional ticket prices and fees. *Social distancing guidelines including online ticketing and limited capacity. Masks required in park but not while on water rides.*
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Montville
Dinosaur Place at Nature’s Art Village (1650 Hartford-New London Turnpike): In addition to the dinosaur trails and playgrounds, you’ll find New England’s largest splashpad! Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the splash pad. Admission for peak season is $23.99 for ages 2 to 59, children under 2 are free. Admission includes use of the entire park. *The entire outdoor park is open at this time with social distance guidelines in place*
**While we can confirm the New Britain pools are open by reservation; we cannot confirm that the splash pads are open for this season.**
Willow Street Splash Pad (43 Willow Street): Open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free admission.
Chesley Park Splash Pad (35 Wildwood Street): Open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Free admission.
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New Haven
Lighthouse Point Park Splash Pad (2 Lighthouse Road): **The splash pad is closed until further notice.**
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New London
Ocean Beach Park (98 Neptune Avenue): The beach is open at a reduced capacity with social distancing rules in place. The pool and splash pad, as well as playground remain closed at this time. Admission and parking on weekdays is $18 and $25 on weekends (rates vary for holidays and evenings).
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Simsbury
Stratton Brook State Park (149 Farms Village Road): Swimming is currently closed at this time.
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South Windsor
Veterans Memorial Park Pool (575 Pleasant Valley Road): **The pool is currently open for the 2020 season to residents and non-residents.** Large swimming pool with lifeguards on duty. Picnic tables are available but are limited to first come, first serve.
**All splash pads and pools are closed for the 2020 season. **
Wolcott Park (1341 New Britain Avenue): Spray Pad for children ages 2 to 8.
Kennedy Park & Pool (160 Oakwood Avenue): Spray Pad for children ages 2 to 8.
Beachland Park & Pool (847 South Quaker Lane): Spray Pad for children ages 2 to 8.
Fernridge Park & Pool (567 Fern Street): Spray Pad for children ages 2 to 8.
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Willimantic
Lauter Park (557 Jackson Street): **The splash pad is currently closed.**
**The pools are currently open by reservation. There will be only 50% capacity. Social distancing required and masks must be worn until you are settled on pool deck. Reservations must be made online for the two-hour swim sessions.**
Goslee Pool (685 Windsor Avenue): Featuring stunning spray features, and a pool for recreational swim. Hours vary by day. Daily pool fees for residents are $2.50 for adults, $1.50 for children and seniors. The fee for non-residents is double.
Welch Pool (685 Windsor Avenue): A newly renovated pool with recreational swim, and a wading pool for small children. Hours vary by day. Daily pool fees for residents are $2.50 for adults, $1.50 for children and seniors. The fee for non-residents is double.
In Massachusetts
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Agawam
Six Flags New England (1623 Main Street): **Six Flags is currently closed for the season.**
School Street Park Splash Pad (School Street): **The splash pad will NOT be open this summer.**
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Easthampton
Nonotuck Park (Daley Field Road): **The splash pad is currently closed.**
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Florence
Look Park (300 N Main Street): **The splash pad IS OPEN for the summer.** Featuring a large spray pad, as well as playgrounds, a zoo, train rides and more, the splash pad is now open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. An entrance fee is required for admission to the park and is $7 during the week and $9 on weekends and holidays. Some activities cost extra, but the splash pad is free. See our Blog Post.
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Hampden
Hampden Memorial Spray Park (495 Main Street): **Reader confirmed: Splash pad is open.** Hours vary and depend upon camp sessions. Please visit their website for an up-to-date schedule. Bathrooms are on site (no changing facilities). Free. See our Blog Post.
**The pools and splash pads will be closed for the 2020 season.**
Reynolds Pool at Bliss Park (Bliss and Laurel Road)
Greenwood Park Pool (231 Maple Road)
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Springfield
Forest Park Spray Pad (302 Sumner Avenue): **At this time, the splash pad is currently closed. There is an unconfirmed rumor that it may open by the end of June 2020. We will update if we can confirm the splash pad is open.** Parks are open from dawn to dusk. The splash pad opens for the season at the end of the school year. Use of the spray pad is free; however, there is a vehicle storage fee when entering Forest Park: daily rates are $3 for in-state vehicles; $5 for out-of-state. See our Blog Post.
**The town pools and water parks are closed for the 2020 season.**
Alice Corson Waterpark (373 Main Street)
Memorial Pool & Splash Pad (51 Smyrna Street)
There are a lot of splash pads and swimming pools in this area! We couldn’t include them all but if you have a favorite that we should definitely check out, let us know in the comments below!!
