It is completely free and open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Labor Day. It is located just off Franklin Street near the playground.

A visit to North Park that afternoon showed the splash pad fully operative. The water features were ready to run with the push of a button in the center.

“It’s been a little slow just because it’s been cool out, but there’s been a few people out there giving it a try and excited to test it out,” Ben Doeden, program supervisor with the New Ulm Parks & Recreation Department, said.

The splash pad at North Park is a flat surface with no standing water. It includes gentle spray tubes for younger children, large overhead sprayers, tipping buckets, fountains and more. 

Photo by Amy Zents Even on a cool, rainy opening day, the North Park Splash Pad is up and running. A brave visitor with an umbrella checks out the colorful water features as they spray across the plaza.

“The great thing about the splash pad is that it’s open a lot more regularly throughout the day,” Doeden said. “It has a button in the center that you press to turn on the features, which makes it more accessible for more people to use. There’s not that danger involved with a pool. It gives people the chance to cool off or have some fun with water on a much simpler and safer surface.”

The splash pad requires no lifeguard because there is no standing water. Maintenance staff check it regularly.

“The splash pad is great because it runs itself,” Doeden said. “We have a great maintenance staff that pops out there and checks on it every day or so to make sure everything’s working properly. They fix problems as quickly as they come up, but otherwise it runs seven days a week through the whole summer. It’s a lot of fun for everybody.”

The North Park Splash Pad is the first water amenity open this season.

Wading pools at Washington Park and Lincoln Park are scheduled to open after Memorial Day, around Friday, May 29. 

Flandrau State Park’s swimming pond and beach area typically opens around the same time. 

Visitors should check directly with the state park for exact dates and lifeguard information.

The splash pad is found at one of the city’s more than 40 park units. It fits into the broader summer recreation options that include playgrounds, shelters and green space.

“The splash pad is one of our favorites because it doesn’t take a lot of resource or skill to be able to use,” Doeden said. “It’s a lot of fun. It’s available to anyone; it’s very inclusive; it’s on a flat surface. So it’s ADA compliant.”

On cooler days the splash pad is still available. 

Doeden recommended bringing bathing suits and towels, using the permanent bean bag toss boards, and taking advantage of the shelter and large green spaces at North Park.

The splash pad will also be used by the Rec on the Go program. 

“We’re excited to incorporate the splash pad into our Rec on the Go program,” Doeden said. “We’ll be out at North Park on Mondays from 10:15 a.m. to noon, and we’ll actually use the splash pad for some of our games and activities.”

In severe weather, the splash pad may close along with other park facilities. Visitors should follow local weather advisories.

For more information on the splash pad at North Park, other water amenities and summer programs, contact New Ulm Parks & Recreation or check the department’s summer brochure.