Wednesday May 20, 2009
Memorial Day weekend is a sign that summer is near, and Metro Parks is doing its part to mark the occasion by opening its four outdoor summer swimming pools. The city’s five free spraygrounds and 17 free spraypads are already running, with two new spraygrounds scheduled to open in July.
Because the September windstorm and January’s ice storm extended the local school calendar by two weeks, the pools will be open for weekends only until June 5, when Metro Parks will begin full summer operations. The pools will remain open until August 9 – the weekend before schools reopen.
“We are working to provide more and better aquatic services throughout the year in Louisville, and we remain committed to operating summer swimming pools,” said Mike Heitz, director of Metro Parks. “We were pleased to see attendance rise at these four summer pools last year, and we’ve spent $250,000 on repairs and upgrades to get them ready for this summer.” Heitz and Mayor Jerry Abramson recently announced a new aquatics plan for Louisville, calling for construction of new spraygrounds, continued investment in summer pools, and long-term plans to develop new indoor aquatic centers through public-private partnerships.
Standard pool hours are daily from 1 to 6 p.m. All outdoor pools close one day a week for maintenance. Admission is $1.50 for children 17 and under, and $2 for adults 18 and over. Photo identification is required for anyone age 9 or older; children 8 or under must be accompanied by a guardian with photo identification. Metro Parks can make identification cards for children who need them for $4 per card; call (502) 897-9949 for details.
Pool patrons may bring their own picnic supplies, although large coolers, glass containers and alcoholic beverages are not permitted. Metro Parks reserves the right to inspect small coolers. To provide a healthy swimming environment, all pools are smoke-free.
Each summer pool offers free swimming lessons for families in June and July. To register, visit your favorite summer pool. Swim lessons are also available to organized groups for a fee.
Every pool features lifeguards that are certified in CPR and First Aid.
2009 Summer Pool Schedule
May 23-25 – all pools open
May 30-31 – all pools open
June 5 to August 9 – all pools open (each pool closes one day a week for maintenance)
July 4 holiday – outdoor pools will be open for normal hours
Summer pool hours are 1-6 p.m.
2009 Summer Pools
Algonquin Park – 1614 Cypress Street
Closed on Tuesdays
Fairdale Pool in Nelson Hornbeck Park – 709 Fairdale Road
Closed on Mondays
Norton Pool in Camp Taylor Park – 4201 Lee Avenue
Closed on Thursdays
Sun Valley Park – 6505 Bethany Lane
Closed on Wednesdays
For information on sprayground and spraypad locations, visit www.louisvilleky.gov/MetroParks/recreation/summerpools.htm. Spraygrounds are modern water playgrounds with a variety of spray elements; spraypads are converted wading pools, typically with a single obelisk that sprays water.
Additionally, the indoor Mary T. Meagher Aquatic Center – at 201 Reservoir Road in Crescent Hill Park – is open six days a week, year-round. It’s closed on Sundays and major holidays.