Free splash pads across Fayetteville area officially opened May 1, with public pools opening Memorial Day weekend
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Families across Cumberland County can once again cool off for the summer as public splash pads officially opened May 1 at parks and recreation facilities throughout the county.
Operated through Cumberland County Parks and Recreation and local municipal partners, the splash pads are free to the public and provide outdoor water play areas for children during the warmer months.
More than a dozen splash pad locations are now operating across Fayetteville, Spring Lake, Eastover, Linden, Wade and surrounding communities. Officials noted that the E. Melvin Honeycutt Recreation splash pad on Lakewood Drive is currently delayed from opening.
Splash Pad Locations Across Cumberland County
SPLASH PAD LOCATIONS
- Melvin Honeycutt r — 4665 Lakewood Dr. (Delayed Opening)
- Gilmore Recreation Center — 1600 Purdue Dr.
- Gray’s Creek Park — 5151 Celebration Dr.
- J.S. Spivey Recreation Center — 500 Fisher St.
- Kiwanis Recreation Center — 352 Devers St.
- Lake Rim Recreation Center — 1455 Hoke Loop Rd.
- Mable C. Smith Park — 1367 Shadbush Ln.
- Massey Hill Recreation Center — 1612 Camden Rd.
- Myers Recreation Center — 1018 Rochester Dr.
- Wade Community Park — 4060 Church St.
- Eastover Park — 2721 Ball Park Rd., Eastover
- Linden Little River Park — 5010 Loop Rd., Linden
- Spring Lake Recreation Center — 245 Ruth St., Spring Lake
- Burnette Park — 4924 Markham St., Godwin
Hope Mills’ splash pad, which is not operated through Cumberland County Parks and Recreation, is scheduled to open May 15 at 5766 Rockfish Rd. in Hope Mills.
Summer Hours and School Day Adjustments
Most splash pads will operate:
SPLASH PAD HOURS
- Monday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Sunday: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Several locations will have adjusted opening times while school remains in session.
SCHOOL DAY ADJUSTED HOURS
- Gray’s Creek Park — Opens at 3 p.m.
- Lake Rim Recreation Center — Opens at 3 p.m.
- J.S. Spivey Recreation Center — Opens at 3 p.m.
- E. Melvin Honeycutt Recreation Center — Opens at 3:30 p.m.
- Massey Hill Recreation Center — Opens at 3:30 p.m.
Public Pools Open Memorial Day Weekend
In addition to splash pads, Cumberland County’s public pools are scheduled to open Memorial Day on May 25, 2026, with the season continuing through Sept. 7.
PUBLIC POOL LOCATIONS
- College Lakes Recreation Center — 4945 Rosehill Rd.
- Lake Rim Recreation Center — 2265 Tar Kiln Dr.
- Smith Recreation Center — 1520 Slater Ave.
- Westover Recreation Center — 266 Bonanza Dr.
Admission Prices and Pool Schedule
ADMISSION PRICES
- Cumberland County residents: $3 children under 12, $4 adults
- Non-residents: $6 children, $8 adults
POOL HOURS
- Tuesday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Officials also noted the pools will be closed Aug. 24 through Aug. 28, before reopening for weekend operations Aug. 22–23 and Sept. 5–6.
For additional information, residents can contact
Cumberland County Parks and Recreation at 910-433-1547.
Kres Thomas, FayToday News
