The time has come to dip you feet or your whole body in the water, Philadelphia's free public swimming pools are opening just in time for the summer of 2023.
School District of Philadelphia students were dismissed for summer Tuesday, June 13, the first public pool opened Wednesday, June 14.
The city was set to mark the occasion with a pool opening party and renaming ceremony in West Philadelphia. Mayor Jim Kenney, Councilmember Jamie Gauthier and the family of Tiffany Fletcher -- who was shot and killed while working at the formerly known as Mill Creek Recreation Center -- were due to celebrate the opening of the pool at the newly named Tiffany Fletcher Recreation Center.
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The Hunting Park and Samuel pools were also set to open Wednesday.
This summer -- unlike last year -- the City has enough lifeguards and staff to open all 61 pools -- in total, about 700 pool staff, including 350 lifeguards are ready to work. Part of the push to get more lifeguards included parks and rec teaming up with Temple University to offer college credit to public pool lifeguards.
“Our public pools are a beloved part of summer in the City, and a great way to cool down, have fun, and stay active this summer,” Interim Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Orlando Rendon said. “Like every municipality, seaside town, and private pool in the country, Philadelphia was facing a dire lifeguard shortage. With the support of so many Philadelphians, we are proud to be able to open 100% of the available pools this summer, a critical step to providing free swim lessons and building Philadelphia’s pipeline of future lifeguards.”
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The pool opening process, which last into mid-July, starts a week earlier than in 2022 and 41 pools will be open by the end of June.
“Thanks to hundreds of dedicated residents who stepped up and answered our call to work as lifeguards and give Philly kids the fun summer experience they deserve, we are bucking the national trend and on track to open 100% of available public pools this summer,” Mayor Jim Kenney said in a news release. “Our public pools are a sanctuary for residents on hot summer days, and an important place for communities to come together, relax, and recreate.”
The pools will also serve as a location for swim lessons for thousands of Parks and Recreation Department campers and community members.
Ten pools -- including ones that haven't opened since 2020 -- are also designated as Swim Philly sites that offer comfortable seating and lounges, umbrellas and fun activities like you would normally see at a private swim club.
When will the pools open?
The City on Wednesday morning revealed its opening plan " based on equity, available staffing, and to maximize residents' access to pools in every part of the city."
Week of June 12, 2023
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
- Fletcher (Mill Creek) Pool — 743 N. 48th St., 19139
- Hunting Park Pool — 900 Hunting Park Ave., 19140
- Samuel Pool — 3539 Gaul St., 19134
Thursday, June 15, 2023
- Marian Anderson Pool — 740 S. 17th St., 19146
Friday, June 16, 2023
- Jacobs Pool — 4500 Linden Ave., 19114
- Kelly Pool — 4231 Lansdowne Dr., 19131
Saturday, June 17, 2023
- Feltonville Pool — 4726-4700 Ella St, Philadelphia, PA, 19120
- Ford Pool — 609 Snyder Ave., 19148
- Morris Estate Pool — 1610 W. Chelten Ave., 19126
Sunday, June 18, 2023
- Houseman Pool — 5091 Summerdale Ave., 19124
- Lackman Pool — 1101 Bartlett St., 19115
Week of June 19, 2023
Monday, June 19, 2023
- Lawncrest Pool — 6000 Rising Sun Ave., 19111
- Pleasant Pool — 6720 Boyer St., 19119
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
- Bridesburg Pool — 4625 Richmond St., 19137
- Mander Pool — 2140 N. 33rd St., 19121
- Mitchell Pool — 3700 Whitehall Ln., 19114
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
- Johnny Sample (Cobbs Creek) Pool — 280 Cobbs Creek Pkwy., 19139
- Northern Liberties Pool — 321 Fairmount Ave., 19123
- Scanlon Pool — 1099 E. Tioga St., 19134
Thusday, June 22, 2023
- American Legion Pool — 6201 Torresdale Ave., 19135
Friday, June 23, 2023
- Jardel Pool — 1400 Cottman Ave., 19111
- Kendrick Pool — 5822 Ridge Ave., 19128
Saturday, June 24, 2023
- Francisville Pool — 1737 Francis St., 19130
- Christy Pool — 728 S. 55th St., 19143
Sunday, June 25, 2023
- O’Connor Pool — 2601 South St., 19146
- Piccoli Pool — 1501 E. Bristol Ave., 19124
- Sacks Pool — 400 Washington Ave., 19147
Week of June 26, 2023
Monday, June 26, 2023
- Athletic Pool — 1401 N. 26th St., 19121
- Lederer (Fishtown) Pool — 1219-25 E Montgomery Ave., 19125
- Waterloo Pool — 2502 N. Howard St., 19133
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
- C.B. Moore Pool — 2551 N. 22nd St., 19132
- Ridgway Pool — 1301 Carpenter St., Philadelphia, PA, 19147
- Vogt Pool — 4131 Unruh Ave., 19135
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
- Chew Pool — 1800 Washington Ave., 19146
- East Poplar Pool — 820 N. 8th St., 19123
- Shepard Pool — 5700 Haverford Ave., 19131
Thursday, June 29, 2023
- Finnegan Pool — 6801 Grovers Ave., 19142
- Lonnie Young Pool — 1100 E. Chelten Ave., 19138
Friday, June 30, 2023
- Cione Pool — 2600 E. Aramingo Ave., 19125
- Simpson Pool — 1010 Arrott St., 19124
Saturday, July 1, 2023
- Awbury Pool — 6101 Ardleigh St., 19138
- F.J. Myers Pool — 5800 Chester Ave., 19143
- Hancock Pool — 147 Master St., 19122
Week of July 2, 2023
Monday, July 2, 2023
- Barry Pool — 1800 Johnston St., 19145
- Cherashore Pool — 851-951 W. Olney Ave., 19120
Monday, July 3, 2023
- Fox Chase Pool — 7901 Ridgeway St., 19111
- Lee Pool — 4328 Haverford Ave., 19104
- Lincoln Pool — 3201 Ryan Ave., 19136
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
- Butch Ellis Pool (39th & Olive) — 700 N. 39th St., 19104
- M.L. King, Jr. Pool — 2101 Cecil B. Moore Ave., 19121
- Murphy Pool — 300 W. Shunk St., 19148
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
- Heitzman Pool — 2136 Castor Ave., 19134
Pools expected to open after July 5, 2023
- Amos Pool — 1817 N. 16th St., 19121
- Baker Pool — 5433 Lansdowne Ave., 19131
- Belfield Pool — 2109 W. Chew Ave., 19138
- Cruz Playground — 1431 6th St., 19122
- Dendy Pool — 1501-39 N. 10th St., 19122
- Gathers Pool — 2501 Diamond St., 19121
- Shuler Pool — 3000 N. 27th St., 19132
- Stinger Square — 1400 S. 32nd St., 19146
- Tustin Pool — 5901 W. Columbia Ave., 19151
Just want a spritz?
There are dozens of spraygrounds open where you can cool off this summer.
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