Guide to south KC’s swimming pools, spray grounds and beaches

By Kathy Feist

Whether it’s a swimming pool, splash ground or lake beach, many south Kansas Citians can spend a day cooling off and having fun at an affordable price. 

The Bay Water Park

The Bay, 7101 Longview Rd., is south Kansas City’s public water park operated by the Kansas City Parks & Recreation. The park features a lazy river complete with waves and plunge pool, a giant swirl bowl slide, a swimming pool with hoops and floating lake animals, and a family play pool with slides, sprays, fountains and a huge dumping bucket. The Bayrider, a surf simulator, is still waiting for repairs. The free spray park outside the swimming area remains closed. 

 The Bay is open Memorial Day to Labor Day, Monday through Sunday, noon to 7 pm. Costs range from $6 to $8 based on size and age. Season passes are available at https://kcparks.org/places/the-bay-water-park/

Leawood Aquatic Park

Leawood’s Aquatic Park, 10601 Lee Blvd., opens May 28 and runs to September 5, noon to 8 pm. The park features an Olympic size 50-meter pool and a separate youth pool that includes fountains and slides. Cost is $6 for residents and $9 for non-residents. For more information, check leawood.org/parks-and-recreation/aquatic-center.

Belton’s Memorial Park Waterpark

Belton’s outdoor water park located at Memorial Park, 520 Maurer Pkwy, opens May 27 and runs noon to 6 pm everyday until Labor Day weekend. The small park features an action river, two-story water slide, a tornado slide and a small pool for the little ones. Cost is $7 for residents and $ for nonresidents. For  more info, visit www.beltonparks.org/141/Outdoor-Water-Park. 

 

Grandview’s Splash Parks

Grandview has two splash parks: The View Community Center’s  Splash Pad and John Anderson Splash Park. 

The Splash Pad, 13500 Byars Rd, opened in 2019 next to The View Community Center, which has an indoor swimming pool. The large outdoor splash pad includes two slides, and multiple interactive spaces, such as a large dumping bucket, play features, and water spray games. Day passes are $6 to $9 and must be purchased at The View.  Open 10 am to 7:30 pm.

John Anderson Splash Park is located at 3701 E 135 St. and has similar amenities minus the slides but is free. John Anderson Splash Park runs from 10:30 am to 7 pm. 

For more information on either splash park call  816-316-4888. 

Sunnyside Park Splash Pad

The free splash pad at 8255 Summit St is open Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend. The simple fountains of water splash from 11 am to 7 pm daily. 

Loose Park Sprayground

Located at 52nd Terrace and Summit St., the Loose Park Sprayground features bright colored fountain sprays and loops. The sprayground is open Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Longview Beach is located at 11101 Raytown Rd. 

Longview Beach

 Longview Lake Beach, 11101 Raytown Rd, is fully staffed and ready to open for the summer on Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. Hours are 1 to 7 pm weekdays and 11 am to 7 pm weekends. Admission is $9 for adults and $7 for children ($115 for a summer pass). The one-acre sandy beach allows for swimming and laying out. But the remainder of the 930-acre lake can be accessed at the nearby marina for boat rental, kayaking, windsurfing, fishing, and other kinds of water sports. For more information go to www.makeyourdayhere.com/Parks-Lakes/Longview-Lake.

Longview Beach also features Sand Cinema. For $10 per car, beach goers can watch the following when the sun sets: 

• June 6 – Minions: Rise of Gru
• July 7 – Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
• August 4 – Disney Pixar’s Lightyear