From pools to splash pads, here are 12 ideal places to cool off in Johnson County

The weather in Iowa City has been hot lately. What better way to beat the heat than by visiting the area's many splash pads, pools, and indoor aquatic centers?

Here is a roundup of some of the many water-related activities in the Iowa City area:

Wetherby Park Splash Pad

Located on the south side of town, Wetherby Park has a lot to offer, from a playground and basketball courts to a disc golf course. But the splash pad is the star of the summer, which includes 15 touch-activated water sprayers and equipment.

The park is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and has a bathroom onsite.

2400 Taylor Dr., Iowa City

Tiffin City Park Splash Pad

The Tiffin City Park Splash Pad is centrally located near the Tiffin Axillary Fields. Tiffin City Park was built in 2018 and was completely designed by Clear Creek Amana students. The splash pad is a highlight with baseball-themed interactive water sprayers.

The park is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

809 E Marengo Rd., Tiffin

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City Park Pool

Enjoy the City Park Pool before it closes for renovations next year. The T-shaped pool features shallow areas on both sides of the T, four diving boards, a 50-meter and 25-yard lap area, and a small wading pool. Drop-in swimming costs $4, and for children under two years old, admission is free.

City Park Pool is open from 6:15 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Friday and 6:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Early morning hours are reserved for lap swimmers, from 6:15 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Open swimming starts at 1 p.m. during the week. Lap swimming is from 6:15 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Saturday, with open swimming starting at 11 a.m. and running until 5 p.m. Only open swimming is offered on Sundays.

200 E. Park Road, Iowa City

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North Liberty Aquatic Center

The North Liberty Aquatic Center just celebrated its 20-year anniversary. The outdoor pool has two water slides and a diving board and is open from 1 to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 1 to 6 p.m. on weekends. Members can enter the pool at noon, while the daily fee is $6.

North Liberty Aquatic hosts multiple summer events, including a late-night swim from 8:30 to 10 p.m. on July 19, with an admission of $2. They will also host a twilight swim from 5 to 9 p.m. on Aug. 14, also $2.

520 W Cherry St., North Liberty

Coralville Community Aquatic Center

The Coralville Community Aquatic Center boasts more than 11,000 square feet of surface water, which includes water slides, a diving board, and a 25-meter L-shaped outdoor pool. The aquatic center also has splash decks, fountains, a playground, and a zero-depth entry shallow pool.

The Coralville Community Aquatic Center is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 12 to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Admission without a pass is $6, with children under two free. There is a discounted rate of $4 on Sundays from 4 to 6 p.m.

1513 7th St., Coralville

Fairmeadows Splash Pad

The splash pad at Fairmeadows Park has more than 10 touch-activated water play stations. The Iowa City park was renovated in 2020 to improve ADA accessibility. The splash pad operates from Memorial Day to Labor Day and is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

2500 Miami Dr., Iowa City

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Tower Court Spray Pad

Tower Court Spray Pad is part of Tower Court Park on the west side of Iowa City and is an ideal option for young children. The equipment is touch-activated, and the park is open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

1124 Tower Ct., Iowa City

Solon Splash Pad

One of the newest additions to the Solon Community is the Solon Splash Pad. The splash pad officially opened in 2022 and features more than 10 touch-activated water spouts, including arches and geysers. The public park also has bathrooms with showers and a water fountain. The park is open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily and will close for the season after Labor Day.

Lake Macbride Trail, Solon

Penn Meadows Splash Pad

The Penn Meadows Splash Pad is another baseball-themed structure located next to the North Liberty softball and baseball fields.

170, 310 N Dubuque St., North Liberty

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Mercer Park Aquatic Center

The Mercer Park indoor swimming pool is located in the Scanlon Gym Facility. It is a perfect place to cool off when the weather is just too hot. The pool is divided into three sections: a 25-yard-long deep section with two diving boards, a 25-yard lap area, and a shallow area for children. The center also has an outdoor shallow wading pool for kids and a 12-person spa. Daily admission for costs $4.

Mercer Park Pool is open from 6:15 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Friday and 6:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Early morning hours are reserved for lap swimmers, from 6:15 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Open swimming starts at 1 p.m. during the week. Lap swimming is from 6:15 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Saturday, with open swimming starting at 11 a.m. and running until 5 p.m.

Only open swimming is offered on Sundays.

1317 Dover St., Iowa City

Coralville Indoor Pool

Coralville also has an indoor pool. The Coralville Indoor Pool is an eight-lane, 25-yard pool with a shallow end and a 14-foot Aqua Climb poolside climbing wall. The facility also boasts a separate wading pool and a Whirlpool spa. Single-rate admission without a pass is $5. The Coralville Indoor Pool has open swims daily at varying times during normal operating hours.

1506 8th St., Coralville

Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center Pool

The Robert A. Lee Community Recreation Center in downtown Iowa City features a 25-yard L-shaped pool with a 10-foot diving well and a wading pool. Children age two and younger are, while the drop-in cost is $5. The pool is open from 6:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday. From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, the drop-in cost is $2.

220 S Gilbert St., Iowa City

Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at [email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: 12 places to beat the heat in the greater Iowa City area