Philadelphia

Make a Splash: Here's When Philly's Public Swimming Pools Will Open

Phillly has more public swimming pools than any other city in the U.S.

What to Know

  • Philadelphia's public pools are set to start opening Monday, June 17.
  • This year, the city is also carrying out a swimwear drive to make sure kids, regardless of economic hurdles, can take a dip.
  • The city is looking to hire lifeguards for the summer, paying them about double the state minimum wage.

School's finally out - or close to being out - for many Philadelphia students, and that means the annual tradition of opening the city's pools to the public.

Phillly has more public swimming pools than any other city in the U.S. - 70 indoor and two outdoor - and they're only days away from being open to the public, free of charge.

The rollout will be progressive, but the first opening starts Monday as the Bridesburg Recreation Center pool welcomes swimmers to dive right in.

After that, pools will open as follows:

Tuesday, June 18

• Lee Cultural Center (4328 Haverford Ave., 19104)

• O'Connor Pool (2601 South St., 19146)

Wednesday, June 19

• Cione Playground (2600 E. Aramingo Ave., 19125)

• Feltonville Recreation Center (4726-4700 Ella St, 19120)

• Kelly Pool (4231 Landsdowne Dr., 19131)

• Lawncrest Recreation Center (6000 Rising Sun Ave., 19111)

• Max Myers Playground (1601 Hellerman St., 19149)

• Sacks Playground (400 Washington Ave., 19147)

Dozens of Philadelphia pools will open in June. Ahead of jumping in, a drive is in place to make sure kids have swimsuits.

Thursday, June 20

• Christy Recreation Center (728 S. 55th St., 19143)

• Fox Chase Recreation Center (7901 Ridgeway St., 19111)

• Francisville Playground (1737 Francis St., 19130)

• Mander Playground (2140 N. 33rd St., 19121)

• Northern Liberties Recreation Center (321 Fairmount Ave., 19123)

• Pleasant Playground (6757 Chew Ave., 19119)

• Vogt Recreation Center (4131 Unruh Ave., 19135)

Friday, June 21

• East Poplar Playground (820 N. 8th St., 19123)

• Ridgway Pool (1301 Carpenter St., 19147)

• Samuel Recreation Center (3539 Gaul St., 19134)

• Ziehler Playground (200 E. Olney Ave., 19120)

Saturday, June 22

• American Legion Playground (6201 Torresdale Ave., 19135)

• Cobbs Creek Recreation Center (280 Cobbs Creek Pkwy., 19139)

• Cohocksink Recreation Center (2901 Cedar St., 19134)

• Dendy Playground (1501 N. 10th St., 19122)

• Lackman Playground (1101 Bartlett St., 19115)

• Mitchell Playground (3700 Whitehall Ln., 19114)

• Scanlon Playground (1099 E. Tioga St., 19134)

Week 2 openings have not been posted yet, but people can keep an eye on the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation website to check when the schedule drops.

This year, the city wants to make sure all kids, regardless of economic hurdles, get a chance to take a dip. People interested in helping can donate swimwear at the following locations:

• Center City - One Parkway Building, 1515 Arch Street, 1st Floor 

• West Philadelphia - Carousel House, 4300 Avenue Of The Republic 

• Northeast Philadelphia - James Ramp Playground, 3300 Solly Ave. 

• Northwest Philadelphia - Kendrick Rec Center, 5822 Ridge Ave.

• South Philadelphia - Guerin Rec Center, 2201 S 16th St.

• North Philadelphia - Athletic Rec Center, 1400 N 26th St.

In the meantime, the city is still looking for lifeguards for the summer. Pay starts at $13.65 an hour, with a salary cap of $15.92 - around double Pennsylvania's minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Prospective lifeguards can get more information here.

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