PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Susan Slawson today announced that the City of Philadelphia will open all 60 available outdoor public pools this summer. City pools will open on a rolling basis beginning today, June 17.

The first pool opening will take place today at Chew Playground pool, where City Council President Kenyatta Johnson will join Parks & Rec and the Chew community to celebrate the first jump.

“It takes months of preparation across City departments to get our beloved public pools ready for a summer of fun,” said Mayor Cherelle L. Parker. “I’m grateful in particular to all of the Parks & Rec staff who recruited and hired lifeguards and pool staff; painted and fixed pools; and ensured they are welcoming for deserving residents. Together, we will make Philadelphia the Safest, Cleanest and Greenest Big City in America, with Economic Opportunity for All.”

Approximately 350 lifeguards and 305 pool maintenance attendants have  answered the call to staff pools this summer, which means the City expects to safely open all available outdoor public pools despite an ongoing national lifeguard shortage.

“Everyone deserves the opportunity to safely cool down during the hottest months, no matter what zip code they live in,” said Commissioner Slawson. “For many Philadelphians, City pools are their summer vacation, and I’m proud that Parks & Rec is on track to open every available pool this summer. Thank you, Philadelphia, for stepping up and giving back as lifeguards and pool maintenance attendants.”

All public pools will once again host mandatory swim lessons for Parks & Rec’s 6,000 summer campers. Free swim lessons will also be available for children, and select pools will offer swim lessons for adults.

“This summer, we are shaping the future lifeguards of Philadelphia by requiring mandatory swim lessons for our campers and offering free swim lessons for children,” said AnneMarie Dunne, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s Deputy Commissioner of Programs. “We are also offering aquatics programming that includes adult fitness classes, thanks to support from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. There’s something for Philadelphians of all ages to enjoy at their local pool.”

Pool rules are available here. Parents and caregivers are responsible for watching their children in the pool deck. Any child under the age of eight must be within arms reach of their parent or guardian at all times when in the water.

The pool opening schedule for the week of June 17-23 is available below. Subsequent pool openings will be added to phila.gov/ppr. Ten pools will not open this summer, due to ongoing Rebuild project construction or necessary capital repairs: Amos Pool, Baker Pool, CB Moore Pool, Cohen (Hillside) Pool, Cohox Pool, F.J. Myers Pool, Kingsessing Pool, McVeigh Pool, Sample Pool, and Ziehler Pool.

Pool schedules vary by location, and are based on available staffing. Information about pool hours and swim lessons can be found on the Parks & Rec Finder App.

WEEK OF JUNE 17, 2024

Monday, June 17

Tuesday, June 18

Wednesday, June 19

Thursday, June 20

Friday, June 21

Saturday, June 22

Sunday, June 23

Shoring up Philadelphia’s pool of lifeguards

This year, Parks & Rec continued to build on efforts to expand the pool of lifeguards in Philadelphia. Measures included:

  • Offering end-of-summer hiring bonus of $1000 to any candidate who applied to be a lifeguard by April 15, and a $500 bonus to any candidate who applied by May 15, for the second year in a row.

  • Hosting the second annual Philly Phreeze lifeguard recruitment awareness and fundraising campaign. The Phreeze generated $53,000 toward the City’s aquatics program.

  • Offering free lifeguard training 12 months a year. Interested candidates can sign up at phila.gov/lifeguards.

  • Continuing a no-cost training and application process to any lifeguard candidate 24 or under. This includes free lifeguard training, free Red Cross LIfeguard Certification, and the cost of work clearances.

  • Partnering with FabYouthPhilly, who paid a cohort of teens to complete lifeguard training.

  • Partnering with St. Joseph’s Preparatory School and Friends Select School to use their pools for lifeguard training.

  • Offering college credits to Temple University students to complete a season as a lifeguard.

  • Requiring swim lessons for campers  at all Parks & Rec summer camps in 2023.

 

NOTE TO EDITORS:

Kelly Pool, located at 4231 Lansdowne Drive, was previously scheduled to open today, Monday, June 17. The pool experienced a mechanical problem, which will delay the opening to later this week.

The pool opening schedule is subject to change. The most up-to-date schedule will be available online throughout the summer.

Each year a handful of the City’s outdoor pools cannot open due to capital repair needs, or because they are located on a Rebuild site under construction, or preparing for construction.

 

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Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) advances the prosperity of the city and the progress of its people through stewardship of nearly 10,200 acres of public land and waterways, and management of 500 recreation buildings, 166 miles of trail, and 250 playgrounds. PPR offers safe, enjoyable recreation, environmental and cultural programs and events throughout Philadelphia’s parks and recreation system. PPR promotes the well-being and growth of the city’s residents by connecting them to the natural world, to each other and to fun, physical and social opportunities. More than 3,000 full-time and seasonal employees proudly serve Philly residents every day, ensuring the department remains a modern, equitable and exceptional parks and recreation system. Visit us at www.phila.gov/parksandrec, and follow @philaparkandrec on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

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