PHILADELPHIA – Mayor Jim Kenney, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell, Councilmember Bobby Henon and former Philadelphia Phillies player Mike Schmidt kicked off the 2019 summer swim season at the newly rebuilt Bridesburg Pool.
“I am excited to kick off the public pool season today, one of Philadelphia’s most cherished traditions,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “Our public pools are great amenities that provide fun, safe and healthy opportunities for Philadelphians of all ages to stay cool and have fun in their communities.”
“I’m thrilled to kick off this swim season at the newly rebuilt Bridesburg Pool and I look forward to a great summer! Our parks and recreation facilities are so important year-round, but especially in the summer when our playgrounds and pools make it much easier for Philadelphia’s kids and families to have active, safe, and fun summer vacations,” said Councilmember Bobby Henon.
In addition to the new pool, automatic sunscreen dispensers manufactured by Brightguard were donated to the recreation center by former Philadelphia Phillies player Mike Schmidt. The donation is the result of a collaboration between Schmidt and the Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation. Schmidt is a stage III melanoma survivor. Through this program sunscreen dispensers have been installed at Citizens Bank Park, Boathouse Row, Kelly Drive, and City Hall.
The RDK Melanoma Foundation and the Mike Schmidt Sun Smart USA program was established in 2017 with a goal of making a positive impact in the fight to prevent skin cancer, especially melanoma, the deadliest form which is caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light.
“My personal experience with melanoma has propelled me to take a leading role in helping communities be sun smart. With all of the fun outdoor activities that summer brings, it’s important to be aware of sun safety. That is why I am teaming up with the City of Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Department to donate a sunscreen dispenser to the Bridesburg pool and 10 additional pools in the Philadelphia area,” said Mike Schmidt.
The Bridesburg Recreation Center’s pool was originally built in 1954 and quickly became a summer community hotspot. Over the years, wear and tear left the pool in need of significant renovations. Regardless, the pool still held a special place in the hearts of the local Bridesburg community.
Traditions like water shows, where local residents perform in synchronized swimming routines, became annual end-of-summer spectacles for the Bridesburg community. Once commonplace at pools across the city, Bridesburg Pool is one of the few that has kept this tradition alive.
The City employs approximately 800 seasonal staffers each summer who work as pool maintenance aides and lifeguards.
Residents can find listings for pools by neighborhood at www.phila.gov/pools. The department encourages residents to contact their neighborhood pools for days and times of open swim, family swim, and adult swim, as well as swim lessons and swim team activities.
2019 Pool Opening Dates
Pool opening dates are subject to change, and opening times vary on each opening day.
Pools will operate from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. until further notice. Please check with your neighborhood pool for days and times of open swim, family swim, and adult swim, as well as swim lessons and swim team activities.
Week 1 Pool Openings
Monday, June 17
Bridesburg Recreation Center (4625 Richmond St., 19137)
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)
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)
Vare Recreation Center (2600 Morris Street, 19145)
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)