Within 20 miles of Converse, TX · Updated 2026-05-30When a Converse summer hits triple digits, you need water and you need it fast. The good news: you're sitting in a sweet spot between a half-dozen free splash pads, starting with the one right in your own backyard at Converse City Park. Head five minutes north to Universal City's 4,000-square-foot Northview Splash Pad, or loop the whole family day through Selma and Schertz before finishing with a downtown San Antonio adventure. Every pad on this list is free — bring your sunscreen and a change of clothes.
1. Converse City Splash Pad (Converse)
Location: 307 School St, Converse, TX 78109
Accessible splash features plus playground and lake. Converse's splash pad is designed so kids with mobility differences or sensory considerations can participate fully. The range of water jet intensities, combined with the playground and nearby fishing lake, means this one stop truly covers multiple interests and abilities.
Good to know: water sprays, water jets, dump buckets, playground, picnic benches, restrooms, catch-and-release fishing lake, paved walking trails, accessible features.
Parent tip: Pack fishing gear if your kids are into it — the catch-and-release lake right next to the splash pad makes for a full two-hour outing without leaving the park.
Want to check if the fountains are running today? See live maintenance updates on the official Converse City portal.
2. Northview Splash Pad (Universal City)
Location: 100 Randolph Plaza Dr, Universal City, TX 78148
Three bays, 16 features, and every age group covered. Northview is the closest big splash pad to Converse, and it earns repeat visits. Universal City split the 4,000-square-foot pad into a Toddler Bay for gentle spray, a Family Bay anchored by a 23-foot spider water tower, and a Teen Bay with the Superwave feature. Changing rooms and shade structures are on-site. Open daily 10 a.m.–8 p.m. from April through October — and the library next door is a perfect post-splash cool-down.
Good to know: 16 water features, Toddler Bay with gentle spray, Family Bay with 23-foot spider water tower, Teen Bay with Superwave feature, two shaded cover areas, restrooms, changing rooms, pavilions available for reservation, adjacent library. Closed closed during lightning/thunders.
Parent tip: The unsupervised facility fills up fast on weekends — aim for a weekday morning if you want the Toddler Bay to yourselves.
For weather closures, seasonal restrictions, or maintenance schedules, view the Northview city page.
3. Live Oak Park Splash Pad (Live Oak)
Location: 8001 Shin Oak Dr, Live Oak, TX 78233
A quiet neighborhood gem just three miles up the road. Live Oak Park doesn't get the social media buzz that some bigger pads do, and that's exactly why regulars love it. The splash pad is surrounded by shaded picnic spots and walking trails through a genuinely green, serene park — the kind of place where you can let the kids loose and actually relax. Pair it with Northview for a back-to-back splash pad day covering two cities in under 10 minutes of driving.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, picnic spots, walking trails, serene park setting.
Parent tip: Hours aren't posted online — call Live Oak Parks and Recreation before your first visit to confirm the seasonal schedule.
Closures are rare, but you can confirm real-time operations on the Live Oak Park facilities status page before packing up the car.
4. Stage Stop Splash Pad (Selma)
If you're based in Converse, it's under 10 min without traffic — worth combining with other Selma stops.
Location: 9374 Valhalla Drive, Selma, TX 78154
Shaded space with splash, play, and picnic. Stage Stop delivers all the components families need in a tight footprint: splash pad, age-split playgrounds, shade, and benches. It's efficient—you're not walking between scattered amenities, everything's within sight and easy reach. The early-afternoon timing (11 a.m.–7 p.m.) suggests treating it as a mid-week afternoon break.
Good to know: colorful splash pad, playground, two shaded playgrounds, restrooms, picnic areas.
Parent tip: Note the shorter hours compared to San Antonio pads — if you're coming from the Converse side in the morning, you'll have to wait until 11 a.m. to get in.
Before heading out, review the Stage Stop status dashboard for seasonal maintenance updates.
5. Wendy Swan Memorial Park Splash Pad (Schertz)
For a family coming from Converse, the drive clocks in at about 13 min without traffic — an easy add-on if you're already headed toward Schertz.
Location: 4601 Cherry Tree Drive, Schertz, TX 78154
The full package — splash pad, outdoor pool, and room to spread out. Wendy Swan Memorial Park is a legit half-day destination at three acres. The splash pad sits alongside an outdoor pool and bathhouse, so older kids who've graduated beyond the sprayer can swim laps while the little ones hit the water features. Playscape, swings, basketball court, and a walking trail round it out. Open 9 a.m.–9 p.m. daily from March through October and wheelchair accessible throughout.
Good to know: splash pad, outdoor pool, bathhouse, picnic pavilion, walking trail, basketball court, playscape, swings, picnic areas, benches, parking, wheelchair accessible.
Parent tip: The park got recent upgrades (sod, irrigation, new trees, fencing) so conditions are excellent — bring a picnic and plan to stay a few hours.
Keep tabs on routine cleanings and seasonal changes by visiting the Wendy Swan Memorial Park page directly.
6. Martin Luther King Jr. Park Splash Pad (San Antonio)
From Converse, it runs about 14 min door-to-door — San Antonio's roads are straightforward from the highway.
Location: 3503 Martin Luther King Dr, San Antonio, TX 78220
Grills plus pad plus sports in one place. Martin Luther King Jr. Park in San Antonio is set up for families who want a full day, not just a quick cool-off. Bring lunch, fire up a grill, let the kids splash, then hit the walking trails or sports courts. The community center on-site rounds out the campus feel.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, picnic areas, grills, sports courts, sports fields, community center, paved walking trails, paved bike trails, restrooms.
Parent tip: Pack lunch and fire up a grill — the picnic area with grills makes this an easy full morning outing without buying food.
Mechanical maintenance can happen without notice — check the Martin Luther King Jr. Park status page before you load up.
7. Emmitt Park Splash Pad (San Antonio)
If you're based in Converse, it's about 17 min without traffic — worth combining with other San Antonio stops.
Location: 2477 N Loop 1604 E, San Antonio, TX 78232
Geysers, merry-go-round, and serious playground. Emmitt Park in San Antonio combines water geysers with one of the north side's best playground setups—circular swing, in-ground merry-go-round, toddler-friendly area. The addition of pickleball courts and basketball pavilion means adults aren't just sitting on the sidelines. Wide weekday hours (7 a.m.–7 p.m.) beat the Saturday 3:30 p.m. cutoff.
Good to know: water geysers, large playground, toddler-friendly area, circular swing, in-ground merry-go-round, picnic areas, basketball pavilion, sand volleyball courts, three pickleball courts, wheelchair accessible.
Parent tip: Saturday hours cut off at 3:30 p.m. — plan your arrival accordingly so you have full time at the splash pad before it closes.
8. Gustav's Geysers at The Pearl (San Antonio)
Coming from Converse, expect about 17 min without traffic — San Antonio has enough nearby to make a half-day of it.
Location: 303 Pearl Parkway, San Antonio, TX 78215
Worth the drive when you want to make a full day of it. Gustav's Geysers sits in the middle of The Pearl, which means the water play comes with a backdrop of great restaurants, a weekend farmers market, and a big greenspace for running around. The geysers are free and open 9 a.m.–9 p.m. year-round, so this is your go-to when the kids want water AND you want a nice lunch. It's busier than your neighborhood pads, but the energy is part of the appeal.
Good to know: water geysers, shade umbrellas, seating areas, adjacent large greenspace, nearby dining options, restrooms.
Parent tip: The Pearl Farmers Market runs Saturdays and Sundays — arrive before 10 a.m. to snag a good spot near the splash area before the weekend crowd builds.
How we picked these
We mapped every free public splash pad within 15 miles of Converse City Hall and ranked by distance so local families can find the closest option fast. We prioritized pads with confirmed hours, accessibility features, and amenities (shade, restrooms, playground) that make a solo outing viable. The two San Antonio picks earn their spots as destination-worthy upgrades for days when you want more than just water.Planning your visit
Most splash pads in this area run from March or April through October, with peak season June through August. San Antonio city pads typically operate 9 a.m.–9 p.m. daily; Northview and Stage Stop have shorter windows, so check hours before heading out. All pads on this list are free. Bring sunscreen, a change of clothes, flip-flops, and a bag for wet items. For events happening near any of these pads this week, see the Converse family events calendar.
For more kids' events near Converse this week, see the Converse events page.
Converse 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 — Converse City Splash Pad and most Converse 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 Northview Splash Pad — standard filtration doesn't remove all pathogens instantly.