Looking for a way to cool off and keep the kids entertained this summer? Look no further than Centennial’s many pools, parks, and splash pads. Featuring slides, play structures, diving boards, and more, the area’s various pools and water features will provide your family with an endless stream of fun this summer.

South Suburban Parks And Recreation Pools

“Splash Pad Fun” licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Flickr by smithwithclass

South Suburban Parks and Recreation manages four pool complexes in and around Centennial. While not all the pools are located in the city limits, all of them are within a 20-minute drive of Centennial. While the complexes are similar, they each have their own unique features, and they are all budget-friendly activities. 

Ben Franklin Pool and Waterslide

Centennial’s Ben Franklin Pool and Waterslide complex features a six-lane, L-shaped pool with a 140-foot slide and diving board. A wading pool containing play features and a splash pad is located a few steps away from the main pool area. 

Cook Creek Pool

Cook Creek Pool, about 10 minutes away in Lone Tree, is an eight-lap, 25-yard pool with a diving board. Its depths range from 3.5 feet at the shallow end to 12 feet at the deep end. A leisure pool with basketball hoops, a play structure, and a 160-foot water slide is also located within the complex. The maximum depth of the leisure pool is 4 feet.

Harlow Pool

The Harlow Pool complex is in Littleton and contains a three-lane, L-shaped lap pool with a zero-depth entry. It features floating play structures and a 140-foot slide. Its maximum depth is 5 feet.

Holly Pool

The Holly Pool complex in Centennial features a six-lane lap pool with a diving board and depths ranging from 3.5 to 12 feet. A separate, zero-entry leisure pool with play features, a 100-foot slide, and a maximum depth of 3.5 feet is located nearby. Swim lessons are offered every summer, and Centennial residents are eligible for a reduced entrance fee.    

Centennial Center Park

Centennial Center Park is an 11-acre park adjacent to the Centennial Civic Center. A large splash pad area with several water features is located near the park’s center. Water play hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. starting Memorial Day weekend and ending Labor Day. If your kids need a break from playing in the water, the park also contains a playground, an amphitheater, picnic tables, grills, bike paths, and walking trails. 

In addition to the water features and other entertainment options, Centennial Center works to educate its visitors by including a variety of historical and educational elements within its boundaries. For example, the amphitheater features a timeline that describes the four periods of human history while the main plaza showcases information about the Cherry Creek Basin. The park’s various features make it easy to break up the day if your little ones get tired of playing in the water. 

Lookout Pool

Lookout Pool is a public pool complex managed by the Arapahoe Parks and Recreation District. Located at Lookout Park in Centennial, the complex contains an eight-lane, 25-meter pool with a maximum depth of 5.5 feet. A shallow pool is attached to one end of the main pool, and a separate leisure pool with a slide is a few steps away. A bathhouse with changing rooms and vending machines is located on-site.

Swim season starts Memorial Day weekend and ends on Labor Day. Swim meets are held on some Saturdays, which may affect public swim hours. Lookout Pool is open for both lap and open swim. 

The Trails Recreation Center

The Trails Recreation Center, part of the Arapahoe Parks and Recreation District, is a 78,000 square-foot facility in Centennial. It houses a zero-entry indoor pool with two water slides and an attached lazy river. A hot tub and a 4-lane, 25-foot lap pool are also located there. Group and private swim lessons are offered throughout the year, and open swim times are available seven days a week. 

In addition to the swimming area, the recreation center houses a climbing wall, racquetball courts, and a weight room. Hours vary, so take a look at the website before you go. You are welcome to pay per visit or purchase an annual pass.  

Pirates Cove Waterpark

Pirates Cove Waterpark is located in nearby Englewood, about twenty minutes from Centennial. It features a large leisure pool, 35-foot slide tower, lazy river, and more. Little ones will enjoy playing in the park’s sandy beach area and cooling off in the spray garden.  

Coolers and outside food and drink aren’t allowed, but concessions are available. If you’d like some privacy while you’re there, consider renting one of the park’s five cabanas, which seat up to eight people. Pirates Cove is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and seasonal and family passes are available.

Surfside Spray Park

Surfside Spray Park in Lakewood is about a 30-minute drive from Centennial. The 1-acre park features a main splash pad and a smaller splash pad perfect for toddlers. There’s plenty of shade, and the barbecue grills and picnic tables are free to use. Lakewood residents get in for $1, while non-Lakewood residents pay a $3 entrance fee. Surfside opens Memorial Day weekend and closes on Labor Day. Hours vary throughout the week, and after-hours rentals are allowed on the weekends.

Peter Pan Park

Peter Pan Park is another great choice that requires a short drive. Located in Westminster, about 30 minutes from Centennial, Peter Pan Park features a splash pad and a shallow stream young children will enjoy. In addition to the water features, the park contains a pirate ship jungle gym, clock tower, and rope bridge.We hope these 10 pools, parks, and splash pads provide you with plenty of options to keep the kids entertained. If you know of a place we’ve overlooked, please feel free to let us know. Just give us a call or send us an email here at Crème de la Crème of Lone Tree. We’d love to hear from you!