Patch Picks: What Time Is It? It's Pool Time!

: Spraygrounds, or interactive water playgrounds, are all the rage now and Hazelwood's has a great one. Newly renovated with $250,000 worth of improvements, the sprayground offers guests of all ages a chance to beat the heat this summer. Musick Park is situated on 6-acres, the park includes a pavilion, climbing rock and regular playgrounds. The sprayground has 30 fountains which run in 10-minute intervals and asks users to simply press the restart button for more activation time.

Koch Park: Florissant's Koch Park has been a around for years and continues to please users. With a lazy river, numerous slides and play activities, it is sure to relax you this summer. Regular hours are 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The park will close at 4 p.m., on July 8 for this year's "Splish-Splash Summer Bash." Animal lovers are welcome to bring their pooches along August 20 - 21 for a doggie party. The events will occur 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.,  and 10 a.m. to noon, respectively. The event is open to all canines who are up to date on their shots. Proof of vaccinations is required to gain access. The price is $10 for both dog and owner to get in.

: Located within easy access to most everything, Bangert Park is situated less than 2-miles north of Interstate 270 on New Florissant Road. It has $325,000 worth of renovations, and the park offers a double tube slide, spray fountains and a big spiral slide. The park will close at 4 p.m., on July 15 to host a dive-in movie. Regular hours run 12:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Aquaport: There is a fabulous water park in Maryland Heights called Aquaport. For those who have not been there yet, it hosts an 8,000 sq.ft. pool in addition to sprinklers, bubblers, fountains and a 750-foot lazy river. Every imaginable type of slide is there including  flumes, tubes, racers, rapids and the biggee-the Extreme Bowl Slide.

Creve Coeur Park: Also only a quick drive away,  Creve Coeur Park's sprayground runs 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The park has two sprayground sites. The first is at Corporate Site 1, by the playground and restroom and operates by motion sensor. The sensor only operates on weekends and holidays so it is eco-friendly, which is a plus. The second site is at Corporate Site 2, and includes a bucket-dump that soaks the whole playground. There are plenty of fountains to run through as well.

January-Wabash Park: Ferguson's January-Wabash Park has an aquatic center with two slides, a zero-entry pool with a water works play area, six lane lap pool, whirlpool, splash playground and a lazy river. The park opens to everyone at 1:15 p.m., and also has the Cannonball Cafe for those with an appetite. This summer's festivities will be a dog splash and duck races.  The dive-in movie will be "Despicable Me," which will begin at 8:45 p.m., on June 11.

Blanchette Park: Located in St. Charles, the park is another good place to do some diving. Made for all ages, it has a lily pad walk, lap swimming area, two water slides, an otter slide and a drop slide that was added in 2004. The park is open Monday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is also open on Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.

McNair Aquatic Facility: Also located in St.Charles, this pool is not as big as some others, but still offers a water slide, water playground and the usual lap swimming.  Although this park has something others do not--a shaded sand box area and electric cars for the tots. It is open everyday from noon to 6 p.m.

St. Vincent's Water Park: Located on St. Charles Rock Road, this water park has a slide, two 25-yard lap pools, a "beach," and a water play structure. The Red Cross offers swimming lessons at this facility. Summer camps at the nearby community center began this month with an additional session in  July.