Within 15 miles of Talty, TX · Updated 2026-06-29Talty sits east of Forney in Kaufman County, where summer heat arrives early and lingers. Forney's grain-silo splash pad is just 5 miles away, Kaufman has a free in-town pad, and Terrell has a full waterpark when the kids want more.
Top-Rated Splash Pads Near Talty
1. Forney Community Park (Forney)
Heading out of Talty, budget under 10 min on the road, short enough for a spur-of-the-moment weekday trip.
Location: 241 S FM 548, Forney, TX 75126
Grain-silo splash pad closest to Talty: Forney Community Park's seasonal splash pad is shaped after a local grain elevator, and the surrounding park backs it up with multiple playgrounds, sports fields, trails, and courts. Free, 10am to 8pm, Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, pavilion, restrooms, fishing pond, walking trails.
Parent tip: Splash pad opens at 10am Memorial Day through Labor Day. Arrive early on weekends to beat the crowd. The silo structure is a crowd favorite.
Want to check if the fountains are running today? See live maintenance updates on the official Forney Community Park portal.
2. Splash Kingdom Waterparks (Terrell)
Leaving Talty, you're looking at about 10 min without traffic, close enough that the kids won't gripe about the car ride.
Location: 1314 W Moore Ave, Terrell, TX 75160
Mornings before noon are your window at Splash Kingdom: The park fills up by early afternoon on hot summer days. Arrive when it opens to get shorter ride queues, cooler water temps, and parking close to the entrance.
Good to know: water slides, splash pad, lazy river, wave pool, restrooms, concessions.
Parent tip: Buy tickets online ahead of time. Walk-up admissions cost more, and weekend afternoons can sell out in peak July heat.
For weather closures, seasonal restrictions, or maintenance schedules, view the Splash Kingdom Waterparks city page.
3. Shannon Park Splash Pad (Kaufman)
Heading out of Talty, budget about 11 min on the road, short enough for a spur-of-the-moment weekday trip.
Location: Shannon St & Barnes St, Kaufman, TX 75142
The local Kaufman County pick for families near Talty: Shannon Park's free splash pad is the practical close option for Kaufman County families. Not the biggest pad in the area, but it's the nearest and free. Covered basketball courts for when kids want a break from the water.
Good to know: splash pad, basketball courts, walking trail, restrooms, picnic areas.
Parent tip: Check kaufmantx.org for current season hours. The covered basketball courts make this park usable even when the weather is iffy.
Closures are rare, but you can confirm real-time operations on the Shannon Park facilities status page before packing up the car.
4. Evans Park Spray Zone (Mesquite)
Out of Talty, plan for about 22 min in the car, which makes Mesquite an easy weekday-afternoon trip from Talty.
Location: 1112 Hillcrest Dr, Mesquite, TX 75149
Upward nozzles and downward showers that keep kids engaged longer: Evans Park's spray design has character. Kids stay interested longer when the features do different things. Free, pavilion reservation available for parties.
Good to know: splash pad, pavilion, playground, sports courts, restrooms.
Parent tip: Open 10am to 8pm, May through September. Pavilion reservations through the Mesquite parks website.
Before heading out, review the Evans Park Spray Zone status dashboard for seasonal maintenance updates.
5. Robert Smith Family Park (Fate)
Worth the 15-mile drive from Talty, and Fate has more than enough to justify the trip.
Location: 1220 CD Boren Pkwy, Fate, TX 75087
2019-built park with equipment still in excellent condition: Robert Smith Family Park opened in 2019, which means the playground, splash pad, and courts are all still in great shape. The woodland-creature theme gives the splash pad its own identity. Free, June through August.
Good to know: splash pad, playground, disc golf, restrooms, trails, picnic areas.
Parent tip: Fate is a quick shot east on I-30 from Rockwall. Splash pad runs 10am to 9pm, June through August.
Keep tabs on routine cleanings and seasonal changes by visiting the Robert Smith Family Park page directly.
How we picked these
Every pick is a public splash pad or water facility open to all families without a membership. We prioritized free options with shade and restrooms. Members-only and HOA-restricted spots didn't make the list.Planning your visit
Forney's splash pad runs Memorial Day through Labor Day, 10am to 8pm. Kaufman's Shannon Park also runs seasonally. Terrell's Splash Kingdom is open summer weekends with paid admission. Bring sunscreen and water shoes. Weekday mornings are the least crowded.For more kids' events near Talty this week, see the Talty events page.
Talty 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: Forney Community Park and most Talty 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 Splash Kingdom Waterparks, standard filtration doesn't remove all pathogens instantly.
Talty Splash Pads, Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best splash pads for kids near Talty, TX?
Our 2026 guide picks 5 standout splash pads within about 15 miles of Talty. The top picks include Forney Community Park, Splash Kingdom Waterparks and Shannon 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 Talty are free?
4 of the 5 splash pads in this guide are free to visit, including Forney Community Park, Shannon Park Splash Pad and Evans Park Spray Zone. The rest charge admission. Check the individual cards above for prices.
What is the closest splash pad to Talty?
Forney Community Park in Forney is the closest pick at about 5.3 miles from Talty. 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 Talty splash pads open and close for the season?
Most Talty-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 Talty open right now?
It depends on the day. Many Talty-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.