Burbank's own free splash pad options are limited — Verdugo Park has an activity pool with water features (admission required), and the closest free spray grounds are in Glendale and Pasadena. But once you're willing to drive fifteen to twenty minutes, your options expand significantly. Wilson Park in Torrance consistently ranks as one of the best free splash pads in the South Bay, and Alondra Regional Park pairs a splash pad with a fishing lake and skate park for a full day out. Here's what to know before you pack the beach bag.
1. Verdugo Park Activity Pool (Burbank)
Location: 3201 W Verdugo Ave, Burbank, CA 91505
Burbank👶 Best for all ages💲 $🚗 2.2 mi
Where Burbank families do water play with the comfort of lifeguard supervision: Verdugo Aquatic Facility's activity pool gives Burbank families a water play option staffed with lifeguards — a genuine difference from free spray pads where parents are the only safety net. The facility is part of a full park with tennis courts, basketball, and a playground, so non-swimmers have somewhere to be.
Good to know: splash pad, pool, restrooms, playground.
Parent tip: Toddlers under 2 enter the activity pool free. Burbank residents pay roughly half what non-residents pay. Check the current schedule at burbankca.gov — pool hours vary by month and lap swim priorities shift seasonally.
Want to check if the fountains are running today? See live maintenance updates on the official Verdugo Park Activity Pool portal.
2. Maple Park Splash Zone (Glendale)
Leaving Burbank, you're looking at under 10 min without traffic — close enough that the kids won't complain about the car ride.
Location: 820 E Maple St, Glendale, CA 91205
Five miles from Burbank to a shaded spray zone that's actually comfortable for parents: Maple Park's canopy-covered spray elements in Glendale make it specifically better than many spray pads on hot days — the shade means parents can actually sit nearby rather than hovering in direct sun. Free, multiple spray features, playground adjacent, restrooms in the community center. The most practical free splash option from Burbank.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, restrooms, picnic areas.
Parent tip: Maple Park is the closest free spray feature to Burbank. The water feature runs April through late September. Check Glendale's parks website for hours before a weekend visit — capacity fills on hot days.
For weather closures, seasonal restrictions, or maintenance schedules, view the Maple Park Splash Zone city page.
3. Wilson Park Splash Pad (Torrance)
From Burbank, budget about 31 min each way — but Torrance has enough to fill a full morning out.
Location: 2300 Washington Ave, Torrance, CA 90501
The South Bay's best free splash pad, 21 miles from Burbank — worth the drive on a hot day: Wilson Park's circular spray pad is consistently rated among the best free splash pads in the entire LA area. Ground-level jets arc across the concrete, no standing water, and a grassy parent zone right next to the action. The wider 44-acre park adds a pirate-ship playground, batting cages, and four softball diamonds — making this a full half-day destination rather than just a water stop.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, ball fields, restrooms, batting cages, pavilion.
Parent tip: Wilson's splash pad runs May 1 through September 30, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. — free. The grassy knoll next to the spray zone gives parents comfortable seating. Arrive by 11 a.m. on weekends to claim a spot before it fills.
Closures are rare, but you can confirm real-time operations on the Wilson Park facilities status page before packing up the car.
4. La Pintoresca Park Splash Pad (Pasadena)
Out of Burbank, plan for about 16 min in the car — makes Pasadena a realistic weekday-afternoon option from Burbank.
Location: 45 E Washington Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91103
Free summer splash at a Pasadena park where the skate plaza and spray zone sit side by side: La Pintoresca's spray feature and the adjacent 2021 Spohn Ranch concrete skate plaza make it the best mixed-activity destination from Burbank when you have a skater and a younger child who wants to cool down. Free, 9am–7:30pm daily through Labor Day, compact layout where everything stays in sight.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, skate park, basketball court, restrooms.
Parent tip: Push the start button on the east side of the spray feature if the jets aren't running on arrival — a tip that saves parents puzzled standing around. The 2022 renovation added shade structures over the playground, making afternoon visits much more comfortable.
Before heading out, review the La Pintoresca Park status dashboard for seasonal maintenance updates.
5. Alondra Community Regional Park Splash Pad (Lawndale)
20.7 miles from Burbank — the drive is straightforward; Lawndale is well-signed from the highway.
Location: 3850 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Lawndale, CA 90260
A free splash pad inside LA County's most feature-packed regional park, 21 miles south of Burbank: Alondra Community Regional Park pairs its free splash pad with a fishing lake, skate park, pool, and multiple playgrounds — all on the same property. If you have kids who can't agree on a plan, Alondra usually solves the problem. At 21 miles from Burbank it's a real drive, but a full half-day here rarely disappoints.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, fishing, pool, skate park, restrooms.
Parent tip: Alondra is best as a longer outing — pair the splash pad with the fishing lake or skate park depending on your kids' ages. The regional park serves a large area so it can get busy on hot summer weekends.
Keep tabs on routine cleanings and seasonal changes by visiting the Alondra Community Regional Park page directly.
How we picked these
We focused on free or low-cost water play with real spray infrastructure, nearby restrooms, shade, and good sight lines for parents. Seasonal hours and distance from Burbank drove the final ranking. No paid placements.Planning your visit
Verdugo Park's activity pool runs seasonal swim hours — check burbankca.gov for current pricing and times. Free splash pads typically operate May 1 through September 30. Maple Park in Glendale runs April through September. Bring water shoes and a dry change of clothes. For more Burbank summer events, see the Burbank events page.For more kids' events near Burbank this week, see the Burbank events page.
Burbank Splash Pad Checklist
- Two towels and a dry change of clothes per kid — wet swimsuits on a hot car seat are miserable.
- Water shoes — rubber soles grip wet concrete; bare feet burn on pavement between jets.
- SPF 50+ sunscreen, applied 15 min before arrival — Verdugo Park Activity Pool and most Burbank splash pads have minimal shade, so a portable canopy extends your session past midday.
- Your own water bottle — splash pad water recirculates through a filtration and chlorination system and is not safe to drink, even when it runs clear.
Swim Diapers and Water Hygiene
- Swim diapers only for children not yet potty trained — regular diapers absorb recirculating water, swell, and can contaminate the shared system. Most municipal splash pads require them.
- Don't swallow the water — it's treated recreational water, not drinking water. Repeated swallowing can cause gastrointestinal illness.
- Rinse off after with soap and water. Keep kids with open wounds or a recent stomach illness out of places like Maple Park Splash Zone — standard filtration doesn't remove all pathogens instantly.
Burbank Splash Pads — Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best splash pads for kids near Burbank, CA?
Our 2026 guide picks 5 standout splash pads within about 20 miles of Burbank. The top picks include Verdugo Park Activity Pool, Maple Park Splash Zone and Wilson Park Splash Pad — each chosen for kid-friendly layout, parent reviews, and how well it holds up on a weekend visit.
Which splash pads near Burbank are free?
4 of the 5 splash pads in this guide are free to visit, including Maple Park Splash Zone, Wilson Park Splash Pad and La Pintoresca Park Splash Pad. The rest charge admission — check the individual cards above for prices.
What is the closest splash pad to Burbank?
Verdugo Park Activity Pool is the closest pick at about 2.2 miles from Burbank. It's the easiest one to fit into a weekday afternoon — short drive, low commitment, easy to leave early if the kids melt down.
When do Burbank splash pads open and close for the season?
Most Burbank-area splash pads open Memorial Day weekend (late May) and run through Labor Day or mid-September, depending on weather and maintenance. Hours typically run 10 a.m.–8 p.m. daily — check each splash pad's official page (linked in the cards above) before driving out, since closures for cleaning and weather are common.