Splash In The Boro is a public outdoor aquatic facility in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, offering families a seasonal escape from summer heat. Whether you’re planning a day trip with young children or looking for budget-friendly recreation in Middle Tennessee, understanding what this water park provides and how to prepare will help you maximize your visit.
This guide covers the park’s features, practical visiting tips, what to bring, and how to fit the experience into a broader Murfreesboro itinerary.
What Is Splash In The Boro and What Can You Do There?
Splash In The Boro is a community water park operated by Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation, featuring water slides, a lazy river, splash pads, and shallow play areas designed primarily for families with children. The facility typically operates during summer months, roughly late May through early August, with specific opening and closing dates varying each season based on local school calendars and weather conditions.
Main Attractions at the Water Park
The park includes several distinct water features spread across a compact footprint. Understanding the layout helps you plan where to settle your group and which areas suit different ages.
Water Slides and Speed Features
Two main tube slides and body slides cater to older children and adults comfortable with faster attractions. Height restrictions apply to most slides, typically requiring riders to meet minimum measurements that you should verify before your visit, as these safety rules are strictly enforced.
Lazy River
The lazy river winds around much of the park perimeter, allowing families to float together on single or double tubes. Tubes are included with admission and available on a first-come basis, so arriving early increases your chance of securing one quickly during peak attendance days.
Splash Pad and Zero-Depth Entry Pool
Toddlers and younger children will spend most of their time in the zero-depth entry pool and interactive splash pad areas. These sections include ground fountains, small water features, and gentle sprays without deep water, making them accessible for children who are not yet confident swimmers.
Lap Pool and Open Swim Area
A designated lap pool provides space for swimming practice and older visitors seeking calmer water. On busy days, this area offers a quieter alternative to the more crowded play zones.
Admission, Hours, and Seasonal Operation
Splash In The Boro typically charges separate admission fees for residents and non-residents of Murfreesboro, with children under a certain age often admitted free. Exact prices, hours, and residency verification requirements change annually, so check the official Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation website or call their main office before planning your visit.
The park generally opens in late morning and closes in early evening, with specific hours sometimes varying between weekdays and weekends. Confirm current operating hours before you leave home, as weather-related closures, maintenance days, and special events occasionally affect the schedule.
Season Passes and Group Rates
Season passes are available for individuals and families who plan multiple visits during the summer. Group rates may apply for birthday parties, summer camps, or organized groups, but these typically require advance reservations and may come with minimum participant numbers or deposit requirements.
What to Bring and What You’ll Find On-Site
Planning what to pack improves comfort and helps you avoid unnecessary expenses once you arrive. The facility provides some amenities but does not offer everything you might expect at larger commercial water parks.
Required and Recommended Items
- Sunscreen: Reapply waterproof sunscreen frequently, as much of the park offers limited shade.
- Towels: Bring enough for each person, as towels are not provided or available for rent.
- Water shoes or sandals: Concrete surfaces become hot in direct sun, and appropriate footwear protects feet.
- Swim diapers: Required for children not yet toilet-trained; standard diapers are not permitted in the water.
- Change of clothes: Keep dry clothes in your vehicle for the drive home.
- Reusable water bottles: Staying hydrated reduces heat-related discomfort.
On-Site Amenities and Limitations
The park includes changing rooms, restrooms, and outdoor showers for rinsing off before departure. Shaded picnic areas and lawn space allow families to take breaks from the water, but availability of shaded spots decreases significantly on crowded days.
Food and drink policies vary, so verify current rules about bringing outside food before packing a cooler. Some public aquatic facilities allow sealed water and snacks but restrict certain items, while others permit full picnic meals in designated areas.
Best Times to Visit for Smaller Crowds
Weekdays generally see lighter attendance than weekends, especially during the first few weeks after the park opens and the final weeks before local schools resume. Mid-morning arrivals, shortly after opening, give you the best chance to claim shaded seating and avoid standing in long admission lines.
Thunderstorms require temporary pool closures for safety, and the park may send all guests out of the water until weather clears. Checking the local forecast before leaving home helps you avoid wasted trips during unsettled weather patterns.
Safety and Supervision Considerations
Lifeguards are stationed throughout the facility, but parents and guardians remain responsible for supervising their own children at all times. Non-swimmers and weak swimmers should wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets, which are often available for free use at the facility, though you should confirm current availability and policies.
Running on wet concrete increases injury risk, and park staff enforce walking-only rules in most areas. Height and age restrictions on slides exist for safety reasons and apply to all guests without exception.
Accessibility and Visitor Accommodations
The park provides accessible parking, ramps, and pathways to most major features, but water attractions themselves may present challenges for visitors with limited mobility. Contact Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation directly before your visit to discuss specific accessibility needs, available equipment, and staff assistance options.
Fitting Splash In The Boro Into a Murfreesboro Visit
A typical visit lasts between two and four hours, depending on your group’s energy and interest. Murfreesboro offers several other family-friendly attractions that pair well with a morning or afternoon at the water park.
Nearby Attractions and Activities
- Stones River National Battlefield: This historic Civil War site provides walking trails and a visitor center about 15 minutes from the water park.
- Barfield Crescent Park: A large greenspace with playgrounds, walking paths, and a dog park for outdoor time that doesn’t involve swimming.
- Old Fort Park: Features a playground, walking trails, and the Cannonsburgh Village historic site.
- Downtown Murfreesboro: Offers local restaurants, ice cream shops, and casual dining within a short drive of the aquatic center.
Where to Stay for Multi-Day Visits
Murfreesboro provides a range of chain hotels and budget motels clustered near Interstate 24 and Medical Center Parkway. Families planning to visit multiple Middle Tennessee attractions may prefer staying in Murfreesboro and taking day trips to Nashville, about 35 miles northwest, rather than basing themselves in the more expensive capital city.
Local Dining and Post-Swim Meals
After spending several hours in the sun and water, most families appreciate a convenient meal before heading home or back to their hotel. Murfreesboro offers typical American chain restaurants along major commercial corridors, plus locally owned barbecue spots, Mexican restaurants, and pizza places.
The Medical Center Parkway and Old Fort Parkway corridors contain the highest concentration of dining options within a 10-minute drive of the water park. Make reservations or call ahead for larger groups during peak dinner hours, especially on weekends.
What Splash In The Boro Does Not Offer
Setting realistic expectations prevents disappointment and helps you decide whether this facility matches your needs. Splash In The Boro is a public community pool complex, not a destination water park with themed areas, wave pools, or extensive dining facilities.
You will not find cabana rentals, full-service food courts, gift shops, or the elaborate theming present at commercial water parks. The facility focuses on providing affordable, accessible aquatic recreation for local families rather than competing with regional tourist attractions.
Planning for Heat and Sun Exposure
Middle Tennessee summers bring high heat and humidity, with temperatures frequently reaching the low to mid-90s Fahrenheit (32-35°C) between June and August. Plan for intense sun exposure even on partly cloudy days, and recognize the signs of heat exhaustion in yourself and children.
Take regular breaks in shaded areas, drink water frequently, and reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes or after getting wet. Younger children and fair-skinned individuals may benefit from UV-protective swim shirts in addition to sunscreen.
Rules and Visitor Conduct
Like all public pools, Splash In The Boro enforces health and safety regulations that all visitors must follow. Glass containers, alcohol, tobacco products, and pets (except service animals) are prohibited throughout the facility.
Inappropriate swimwear, diving in shallow areas, and rough play that endangers other guests will result in warnings or removal from the park. Respecting these rules keeps the experience safe and pleasant for all families.
Verifying Current Information Before Your Visit
Because Splash In The Boro is a seasonal municipal facility, operating details change more frequently than year-round commercial attractions. Weather events, staffing levels, maintenance needs, and local government budget decisions can all affect hours, pricing, and available features.
Always check the official Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation website or call their office within a few days of your planned visit to confirm the park is open, verify admission costs, and ask about any temporary closures or special events that might affect your experience.
Making the Most of Your Visit
Arriving shortly after opening gives your group first access to tubes, choice of shaded seating, and the cleanest facilities. Bringing your own snacks and drinks (if permitted under current policies) reduces the need to leave the park and helps you stay longer without interruption.
Designate a central meeting spot where separated family members can reconnect, especially if older children want independence while younger siblings stay in toddler areas. Taking photos early in the visit, before everyone is soaked and tired, captures better memories than rushed snapshots at the end of the day.
Who Will Enjoy Splash In The Boro Most
This facility works best for families with children roughly between ages two and twelve who want affordable water play close to home or along an I-24 travel route. Parents seeking a low-key, budget-conscious alternative to expensive theme parks will appreciate the straightforward offerings and community atmosphere.
Teenagers looking for thrill rides and adults seeking luxury amenities should consider other options. Splash In The Boro delivers exactly what it promises: clean, safe, uncomplicated water recreation without the high costs or crowds of major tourist attractions.
Final Preparation Checklist
Before leaving home, confirm the park is open that day, check the weather forecast for thunderstorms, pack sunscreen and towels, verify any outside food policies, bring appropriate swim diapers if needed, and note the address in your GPS. These simple steps prevent common frustrations and help your group focus on enjoying the water rather than solving avoidable problems.
Splash In The Boro provides a practical, affordable way to cool off during Tennessee summers while keeping children entertained for several hours. Verify current details with Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation, pack appropriately for sun and heat, and arrive early for the best experience at this local favorite.
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