Gipson Play Plaza Splash Pad
✓ Last confirmed for the 2026 season · confirmed against the parks department
Where: 715 Biggs Dr, Raleigh, North Carolina
Season: April - October, weather dependent
Hours: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. daily
Cost: free
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Opened in May 2025 as the centerpiece of Dorothea Dix Park, Gipson Play Plaza pairs its fountain-style splash pad with one of the largest adventure playgrounds in the region. It is one of only two free standalone splash pads run by Raleigh Parks.
What's on site. OpenStreetMap maps toilets on site, drinking water, playground alongside, parking at this location.
When to go. Peak summer highs in Raleigh average 90°F. Mornings and late afternoons are far more comfortable than the middle of the day, and shade is worth planning around.
How long it's open. Roughly 30 weeks a year, from April to October. Seasons shift year to year and municipal pads often close early for maintenance, so check before a long drive.
If this one's closed or packed
Splash pads close for maintenance, run short seasons and fill up on hot weekends. There are 5 other pads within 5 miles and 13 within 15. These are the ones worth the drive — ranked by shade, toilets and cost first, then by how close they are: