The announcement of the reopening of public swimming pools feels like a thin ray of hope after the saddest days brought on by the pandemic. Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell today announced Monday that the City’s outdoor pools will open on a rolling basis beginning Wednesday, June 30.
Sixteen public pools are expected to open by this weekend, with an additional 31 pools scheduled to open on a rolling basis over the next few weeks. Pools will offer daily open swim and free swim lessons.
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell, noted the importance of pools activities for a healthy mental and physical condition.
“Philadelphia public pools are a great way to cool down, have fun, and stay active this summer. We’re pleased to be able to provide residents, and especially young people, with the chance to make some great summer memories as we continue to safely emerge from this pandemic.”
You can read: Starting Friday, Philadelphia is lifting the last COVID-19 restrictions
The City will open 47 outdoor pools this summer against the backdrop of a nationwide lifeguard shortage compounded by local hiring and recruitment challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pools were selected to open based on geography, past pool usage data, and neighborhood need.
Stay cool!
The 2021 pool schedule was developed based on equity and designed to maximize residents’ access to pools in every part of the city, with a focus on the largest or most heavily used pools in each neighborhood opening to accommodate the maximum number of visitors.
In addition, residents can stay cool and have fun this summer by visiting any of our 90+ spraygrounds, open seven days a week through Labor Day. Residents can search for all open pools and spraygrounds near them using the Parks & Rec Finder App.
The pool opening schedule is available here.