Review of Spraygrounds in Arlington, Virginia
by Our Kids
August 5, 2009
Need a good way to cool off this summer? Head to one of three free local spraygrounds in Arlington, Virginia. The OK interns and I did a three-park challenge one hot July morning and we were pleased with what we found. It was apparent at each park that everyone was having fun and enjoying the ability to cool off for "free" on a hot day. There's just something about cool water that brings out the biggest and best squeals from kids of all ages.
Our travels took us to Drew Park, then Lyon Village Park and finally to Hayes Park. We've done a side-by-side comparison below and hope you can make it out to one of these spraygrounds before the summer ends. If not, their companion playgrounds also have plenty to offer during the "off-season."
| Drew Park | Lyon Village Park | Hayes Park | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Address: | 3514 22nd St. S., Arlington, VA 22204 Google Map |
1800 N. Highland St., Arlington, VA 22201 Google Map |
1516 N. Lincoln St., Arlington, VA 22201 Google Map |
| Website: | Drew Park | Lyon Village Park | Hayes Park |
| Parking: | Limited 2 hour street parking available. We were at the park at 10am, so found a space quite easily. I suspect that since this is the newest of the three parks; it isn't as crowded. | Parking is very difficult in the Lyon Village neighborhood. There is street parking, but it is limited and is for 2 hours maximum. Be sure to read all the signs before you settle on your spot. You can also park at the Lyon Village Community House which is down the street just a bit. | Parking available in small lot with approximately 10 spaces. We were lucky when we got there at lunchtime and found a spot in the lot. There is also street parking. On busy days, parking can extend at least a 1/4 mile away from the park. Be prepared. |
| Bathrooms & Water Fountains: | No bathrooms are immediately on site unless you walk to the community center. Water fountain is available. | No bathrooms available. Water fountains on site. | Clean bathrooms and water fountains on site. |
| Drew Park | Lyon Village Park | Hayes Park | |
| Sprayground: | Drew Park is the newest of the three parks. There are a handful of water features that spray from the floor, one tall flower spray that intermittently sprays water from above. There are also hoops that spray water in different cycles. The surface is colored concrete and there is a concrete half-wall surrounding the water features. | Lyon Village Park offers many exciting sprays that go upward from the colorful concrete floor. There is a bucket that pours water from above which seemed to be a huge hit and a spinning flower that spritzes water. The water cycles through the different features as time goes on; which keeps the kids guessing and entertained. There is a semi-circle of a wall that surrounds the sprayground where parents can sit - beware, you will get wet! |
Hayes Park is planet-themed and the OK interns nicknamed this park "Planet Park." We liked this park the best for its water features simply because 90% of the sprayground is in the shade. The sun and earth are in the center and water sprays from the ground and planet Earth. Water cycles through the different features at different times, again keeping kids entertained. There is a semi-circle of a wall that surrounds the sprayground where parents can sit as well as benches nearby. The other planets are perched throughout the outer area of the park and kids can climb on them if they choose. |
| Sprayground Hours: | Monday & Thursday: 2 to 8pm; Wednesday & Friday: 10am to 3pm; Saturday & Sunday: noon to 8pm; closed Tuesdays | Monday & Tuesday: 10am to 3pm; Wednesday & Friday: 2 to 8pm; Saturday & Sunday: noon to 8pm; closed Thursday. | Monday & Thursday: 10am to 3pm; Tuesday & Friday: 2 to 8pm; Saturday & Sunday: noon to 8pm; closed Wednesday. |
| Drew Park | Lyon Village Park | Hayes Park | |
| Playground: | Drew Park has a really cool playground with a partial fence. It is clean and new, so it was a nice treat, the only downside being that there is no shade in this park. There are two structures, one for ages 2 to 5 (climbing ropes, places to crawl and slides) and a structure for ages 5 to 12 (complicated series of climbing ropes, a funky slide that has no sides). The park also has a large rock to climb, a series of bouncing pads, 2 swings for babies/toddlers and 2 swings for bigger kids. The playground is mulched. | Lyon Village Park is huge and the bonus is that it is gated. This park was the most crowded of the three we visited, but you can see why. There is something for everyone at the playground. Two climbing structures (one for ages 2 to 5 and the other for ages 5 to 12) are host to climbing walls, ropes, slides and other things to get the kids up and moving. There is a sand pit, a wheel you sit on to spin around (beware; it gets hot in the sun), 4 baby/toddler swings and 2 swings for big kids. There used to be 4 swings for big kids, perhaps two are being repaired. The playground itself does not have a lot of shade; although the swings are under some nice big trees. The surface under the playground is soft padding and mulch is under the swings. |
If you're looking for a nice mix of activities and the bonus of shade, head to Hayes Park. They have a large sand area that the OK interns love, 4 toddler/baby swings and 4 big kid swings. There is one play structure that is not in the shade, but it has slides, rope climbing, a small "rock" climb area and tunnel. Nearby is a see-saw for four kids and another play structure which the OK interns have deemed a space ship. What will your kids imagine it to be? The surface underneath the play structure is the soft padding and there is mulch under the swings. |
| Seating and Other Features: | There are benches throughout the entire park. Approximately 7 in the sprayground area and 12 surrounding the playground. There are also two picnic tables. | There are approximately 15 benches around the park. You can also sit along the low wall along one side of the sprayground. There are picnic tables in the shade; but bring a picnic blanket as there is plenty of open space to hang out. There are also tennis and basketball courts nearby. Note: Lyon Village Park used to have a covered picnic shelter; however when we visited, it appeared to be under renovation. | There are lots of benches throughout Hayes Park; both shaded and not-shaded. You can also sit along the wall by the sprayground. Bring a picnic blanket as there is plenty of shaded space to enjoy a picnic. There is a picnic shelter and tennis and basketball courts. |
| What to Bring: | Be sure to bring: a bathing suit, sunscreen, hat, flip-flops or other shoes that can get wet, towels, goggles (if you're kid likes to wear them to keep water out of their eyes), buckets or other water toys, snacks, change of clothing, a picnic lunch and a sense of adventure. Bottom line: you really don't need much (you can skip the water toys, etc.); kids will just enjoy figuring out where the water is going to spray next. | ||
| Photos: | Click here for a link to photos of all three parks | ||
Have you been to any of these Spraygrounds? What's your opinion? Just drop us a note and Our Kids will add your comments to this review.
