Belleview's Wilma Loar Splash Pad reopened with a refresh and splits its 18 features into three age zones, a solid in-town option for families with kids of different ages. Ocala is a short drive north for more choices: Lily's Splash Pad, downtown Citizens' Circle, Marion Oaks on the south side, and Jervey Gantt if the kids want a real water slide.
Top-Rated Splash Pads Near Belleview
1. Wilma Loar Splash Pad (Belleview)
Location: 5615 SE 110th Street, Belleview, FL 34420
Belleview👶 Best for All ages, split into toddler/4-7/8-plus zones💲 Free🚗 1.2 miBelleview's newly refreshed splash pad, split into three age zones. Wilma Loar Splash Pad covers 2,400 square feet with 18 play features divided by age (toddler, 4-7, and 8 and up), including a frog-shaped car wash sprayer and a central umbrella shower. Free, open Monday through Saturday 8am to 6pm, with restrooms, picnic tables, and a covered playscape with slides on site.
Good to know: central umbrella shower, water jets, spray cannons, covered playscape, restrooms. Closed Sundayss.
Parent tip: The zones split by age (toddler, 4-7, and 8-plus), so it's easy to let different-aged siblings each find their own spot.
Want to check if the fountains are running today? See live maintenance updates on the official Wilma Loar portal.
2. Marion Oaks Splash Pad (Ocala)
Starting in Belleview, the drive takes under 10 min without traffic, and the round trip still fits inside a morning.
Location: 294 Marion Oaks Lane, Ocala, FL 34473
Daily 10am to 6pm hours, free entry. Marion Oaks Splash Pad keeps a steady daily schedule through the season, ground sprays for kids and a shaded community center right next door.
Good to know: ground sprays, picnic areas, playground. Closed outside seasonal hourss.
Parent tip: It's attached to the Marion Oaks Community Center, so restrooms and a covered area are always close if the weather turns.
For weather closures, seasonal restrictions, or maintenance schedules, view the Marion Oaks city page.
3. Jervey Gantt Aquatic Fun Center (Ocala)
Starting in Belleview, the drive takes about 12 min without traffic, and the round trip still fits inside a morning.
Location: 2390 SE 36th Ave, Ocala, FL 34471
Zero-depth entry works for the youngest kids too. Jervey Gantt Aquatic Fun Center's ADA-compliant zero-depth pools mean toddlers can wade in gradually, while the splash pad and slide handle the older siblings.
Good to know: water slide, waterfall feature, splash pad area, lifeguards on duty, zero-depth entry. Closed Sundays and Mondays typical off-seasons.
Parent tip: This is the paid option with a real water slide, budget the extra dollars if the kids are past the free-pad stage.
4. Citizens' Circle Splash Pad (Ocala)
Starting in Belleview, the drive takes about 15 min without traffic, and the round trip still fits inside a morning.
Location: 151 SE Osceola Ave, Ocala, FL 34471
Compact and toddler-friendly in the historic downtown. Citizens' Circle Splash Pad's gentle spray features work well for kids still getting comfortable with water play, and it's a quick walk from downtown Ocala's shops and the Saturday market.
Good to know: downtown location, gentle spray features, public art, benches, restrooms. Closed outside seasonal hourss.
Parent tip: Pair it with the downtown market if you're visiting on a Saturday. It's a short walk from Citizens' Circle.
5. Lily's Splash Pad (Ocala)
Heading out of Belleview, budget about 18 min on the road, short enough for a spur-of-the-moment weekday trip.
Location: 2200 NW 17th Place, Ocala, FL 34475
Shaded pavilions make this an easy full-morning stop. Lily's Splash Pad pairs its water jets and dump buckets with real shade structures and a playground, so the whole visit doesn't have to happen in direct sun.
Good to know: water jets, ground sprays, dump buckets, playground, shaded pavilions, restrooms. Closed outside March-November seasons.
Parent tip: Go right at sunrise opening in summer, the shaded pavilions fill up fast once school lets out for the day.
How we picked these
We confirmed each pad is public and free (except Jervey Gantt, which charges a few dollars for slide and lifeguard access), checked shade and restroom availability, and made sure the list includes Belleview's own splash pad plus options in neighboring Ocala. Distances are measured from downtown Belleview.
Planning your visit
Wilma Loar closes Sundays but runs Monday through Saturday 8am to 6pm; Ocala's free pads generally run March through November, sunrise to sunset. Bring swim diapers for toddlers and sunscreen for everyone, most of these pads sit in direct sun for at least part of the day.
For more kids' events near Belleview this week, see the Belleview events page.
Belleview 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: Wilma Loar Splash Pad and most Belleview 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 Marion Oaks Splash Pad, standard filtration doesn't remove all pathogens instantly.
Belleview Splash Pads, Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best splash pads for kids near Belleview, FL?
Our 2026 guide picks 5 standout splash pads within about 15 miles of Belleview. The top picks include Wilma Loar Splash Pad, Marion Oaks Splash Pad and Jervey Gantt Aquatic Fun Center, each chosen for kid-friendly layout, parent reviews, and how well it holds up on a weekend visit.
Which splash pads near Belleview are free?
4 of the 5 splash pads in this guide are free to visit, including Wilma Loar Splash Pad, Marion Oaks Splash Pad and Citizens' Circle Splash Pad. The rest charge admission. Check the individual cards above for prices.
What is the closest splash pad to Belleview?
Wilma Loar Splash Pad is the closest pick at about 1.2 miles from Belleview. 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 Belleview splash pads open and close for the season?
Most Belleview-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.
Are the splash pads near Belleview open right now?
It depends on the day. Many Belleview-area pads run on heat-activated sensors or set seasonal hours (often 10 a.m.–8 p.m.), and some close one weekday for cleaning or shut off in bad weather. Before you load up the car, check the official page linked on each card above, it carries the current day's hours and status.