Within 25 miles of Emory, TX · Updated 2026-06-29Emory sits in Rains County without a town-run splash pad of its own, but you're within 25 miles of some solid options. Canton has three free spray parks, Sulphur Springs has two, and Mineola's civic center splash pad is billed as the biggest in the area. Here are the picks worth the drive.
Top-Rated Splash Pads Near Emory
1. Wayne Douglas Jamerson Spray Park (Canton)
A committed about 35 min drive from Emory, so treat it as a half-day destination, not a quick stop.
Location: 1400 Sherrick Rd SE, Canton, TX 75103
Canton's flagship free spray park, fenced and sports-themed: Wayne Douglas Jamerson Spray Park is Canton's most well-known water play spot, with sports-themed spray equipment and a fenced perimeter that helps parents keep track of younger kids. Open noon to 8 p.m. daily, Memorial Day through Labor Day. Free admission. The park is about 23 miles from Emory.
Good to know: splash pad, spray pad, playground, fenced, restrooms.
Parent tip: Canton's spray parks are on the same parks system — if Jamerson is crowded, Weis Park and Garaux Park are both nearby alternatives with the same free admission.
Want to check if the fountains are running today? See live maintenance updates on the official Wayne Douglas Jamerson Spray Park portal.
2. Weis Park Splash Pad (Canton)
22.8 miles from Emory, and the drive is simple; Canton is well-signed from the highway.
Location: 2600 Harvard Ave NW, Canton, TX 75103
Weis Park is Canton's sports-family splash option, 22 miles from Emory: The free splash pad at Weis Park in Canton sits next to tennis courts, sand volleyball, and a playground — practical for summer afternoons when the family wants variety. Free, seasonal, about 22.8 miles from Emory.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, tennis courts, sand volleyball, picnic area, restrooms.
Parent tip: Weis Park and Wayne Douglas Jamerson Spray Park are both in Canton — check both when planning your visit so you know which one is closest to where you're eating lunch in town.
3. Garaux Park Splash Pad (Canton)
A committed about 36 min drive from Emory, so treat it as a half-day destination, not a quick stop.
Location: 3801 13th St SW, Canton, TX 75103
Southwest Canton's free splash pad — the backup when the other Canton parks are full: Garaux Park is Canton's newest spray park, and its location on 13th Street SW keeps the crowd smaller than the flagship park. Free, seasonal, playground and picnic area on site. About 24 miles from Emory — the farthest Canton pick but worth knowing for busy weekends.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, picnic area, restrooms.
Parent tip: Garaux Park is the newest and often the least-crowded of Canton's three spray parks — a good backup when the others are full on peak summer weekends.
4. Mineola Civic Center Splash Pad (Mineola)
Not a quick stop from Emory at 21.6 miles, so it's best combined with other Mineola stops to make the drive worthwhile.
Location: 1150 N Newsom St, Mineola, TX 75773
Mineola's free community splash pad is billed as the biggest in the area: The Mineola Civic Center splash pad is a free spray park with a covered pavilion and picnic tables alongside it. It's open Monday through Friday, May through September, which makes it an ideal weekday outing for Emory families about 21 miles east on US-69. The pad can close for maintenance or weather, so confirm before driving over.
Good to know: splash pad, covered pavilion, picnic tables, playground, restrooms. Closed Saturdays & Sundays.
Parent tip: The Mineola Civic Center splash pad is weekdays only (Monday through Friday). Plan accordingly — it's not an option for Saturday and Sunday visits.
For weather closures, seasonal restrictions, or maintenance schedules, view the Mineola Civic Center city page.
5. Pacific Park Splash Pad (Sulphur Springs)
Not a quick stop from Emory at 20.3 miles, so it's best combined with other Sulphur Springs stops to make the drive worthwhile.
Location: MLK Jr Drive between Ross and Beckham Streets, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
Sulphur Springs' east-side splash pad opened in 2005 and is still free: Pacific Park on MLK Jr Drive is a consistent community option for spray pad time, with a playground and picnic tables alongside. Free admission, seasonal operation, about 20 miles from Emory. The first option you reach when driving north from Emory on US-67.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, picnic area, restrooms.
Parent tip: Pacific Park is Sulphur Springs' east-side pad — if you're coming from Emory on US-67 north, it's the first splash option you hit before reaching downtown Sulphur Springs.
Closures are rare, but you can confirm real-time operations on the Pacific Park facilities status page before packing up the car.
6. Downtown Square Splash Pad (Sulphur Springs)
Worth the 20.3-mile drive from Emory, and Sulphur Springs has more than enough to justify the trip.
Location: Downtown Town Square, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482
Star fountain, light show, and lawn games on Sulphur Springs' downtown square: The Downtown Square Splash Pad is a different kind of water experience — a star-shaped interactive fountain in a fully redeveloped public square with chess sets, lawn games, and bistro seating. Free, seasonal, and about 20 miles from Emory. The evening light show makes a late-afternoon visit worth timing for sunset.
Good to know: splash pad, star fountain, light show, lawn games, picnic area, restrooms.
Parent tip: The downtown fountain and Pacific Park are less than a mile apart — visit both in the same trip to Sulphur Springs and make a full splash day out of it.
How we picked these
Every pick is a free or low-cost public facility open to all families. We skipped HOA-only parks and members-only facilities. Since Emory doesn't have a city-run splash pad, all picks require a short drive. We prioritized places with restrooms, shade, and something for families to do beyond just the splash pad itself.Planning your visit
All of these picks are 20 to 25 miles from Emory, so plan a half-day outing rather than a quick pop-in. Most operate Memorial Day through Labor Day. Canton's spray parks are free and open noon to 8 p.m. daily. Mineola's civic center pad is free and open Monday through Friday during business hours. Sulphur Springs pads run seasonally with no admission charge. Pack sunscreen, water shoes, and a snack for the drive back.For more kids' events near Emory this week, see the Emory events page.
Emory 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: Wayne Douglas Jamerson Spray Park and most Emory 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 Weis Park Splash Pad, standard filtration doesn't remove all pathogens instantly.
Emory Splash Pads, Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best splash pads for kids near Emory, TX?
Our 2026 guide picks 6 standout splash pads within about 25 miles of Emory. The top picks include Wayne Douglas Jamerson Spray Park, Weis Park Splash Pad and Garaux Park Splash Pad, each chosen for kid-friendly layout, parent reviews, and how well it holds up on a weekend visit.
Are splash pads near Emory free?
Yes, every splash pad in this guide is free to visit, with no admission fee or ticket required for Wayne Douglas Jamerson Spray Park, Weis Park Splash Pad, Garaux Park Splash Pad or any of the other picks.
What is the closest splash pad to Emory?
Pacific Park Splash Pad in Sulphur Springs is the closest pick at about 20.3 miles from Emory. 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 Emory splash pads open and close for the season?
Most Emory-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 Emory open right now?
It depends on the day. Many Emory-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.