Bertha Henschel Wading Pool: A Perfect Spot for Little Kids
Have you heard of Bertha Henschel Park in East Sacramento? Chances are, probably not. McKinley Park often takes center stage when it comes to fun activities for kids in East Sacramento, thanks to its massive playground and beloved rose garden.
Just a four-minute drive away from McKinley Park is one of the best free things to do in Sacramento in the summer with younger kids. This hidden gem is the Bertha Henschel Wading Pool. Add it to your Sacramento summer bucket list.
When you’ve gone to all the best splash pads in Sacramento and want to do something a little different but are still wary of being around a pool with younger kids, a wading pool with a splash pad feature makes a fun option.
Who can use the wading pool?
The Bertha Henschel Wading Pool is specifically for younger children. The rules of the pool state these facts. You can only access the pool if you meet these stipulations:
- Children using the pool must be under the age of 7 years old and/or under 50” (4 feet, 2 inches) in height.
- The sign at the pool mentions a height limit of no taller than 50”, but the website mentions a height limit of no taller than 48”.
What to Expect at Bertha Henschel
Bertha Henschel Park is hidden within an East Sacramento residential neighborhood. It’s pretty close to the Fab ‘40s.
The wading pool is a combination mushroom spray fountain that flows into a shallow depth entry pool. It’s spacious with lots of room for many children. On a hot Sunday afternoon when we visited, it was not busy at all. Dare I say, it was a pretty relaxing experience. Bringing along buckets and water toys also added another level of amusement to our summer outing.
A lifeguard is on duty at the pool, enforcing the rules, such as no running. Having this safety measure is another fantastic piece of mind when bringing younger kids around a pool, even if it’s a very shallow and relatively safe one. The wading pool has a max depth of 12 inches. It’s most shallow where the mushroom fountain feeds into the wading pool.
The pool is also fully gated. There are many shady patches surrounding the pool for blanket setups. The mushroom spray fountain is in full shade.
Wading Pool Operating Hours
As of 2025, the wading pool is open for the summer season, June 14 to August 17. It operates on the following days of the week and times:
- Tuesday, 3-7pm
- Wednesday & Thursday, 1-5pm
- Saturday & Sunday, 1-5pm
Other Park Amenities
There is a playground at Bertha Henschel Park. It’s an older playground that could use some love, but has fun features like various slides, including a roller slide, and a drawbridge.
A large sand play area is next to the playground. There were tons of sand toys left behind for kids to play with, from trucks to shovels.
A few swings are in the park, including a bucket swing for a baby and a tire swing.
Next to the swings is an old, rusted metal structure of a tin man pushing a wheelbarrow. After some research, I figured out that it was part of the previous play structures that used to be in the park (which no longer exist, apart from this random tin man).
Restrooms are in the park. Additionally, there is a small basketball court.
Where do you park?
There is no parking lot for Bertha Henschel Park. Find street parking nearby and walk through the park to the wading pool.
Is this really free?
Yes, it is! All of the wading pools in Sacramento are free. This is why it tops the list of free things to do in Sacramento in the summertime with kids.
Are there other wading pools for younger kids in Sacramento?
Yes, there are! While there are several throughout Sacramento, the best free ones are:
- Bertha Henschel Wading Pool
- Land Park Wading Pool
What to Bring
- Water shoes or sandals—the ground around the pool in the sun was hot for little feet. The mushroom fountain also has rocky flooring.
- Water toys or buckets—We had buckets for our kids, which they loved. Another group of kids brought reusable plastic water balloons that were a hit at the pool.
- Towels and extra clothes
- Swim diapers if your little ones aren’t potty-trained
- Sunscreen and hats
- Snacks—Tip: Pick up sandwiches or snacks from the nearby Corti Brothers
Address: Bertha Henschel Park | 160 45th St, Sacramento, CA 95819
