PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell today announced 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 public pools are a great way to cool down, have fun, and stay active this summer,” said Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell. “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.”

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.

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.

“Philadelphians love their neighborhood pools, and we are grateful to be able to open so many of these beloved summer institutions this summer,” said Commissioner Ott Lovell. “We have been relentless in our efforts to recruit as many lifeguards as possible to minimize the disruption to service in our first pool season since the pandemic shutdown of 2020. We are seeing pools, recreation facilities, and beaches across the country reduce hours or close locations due to the lack of certified lifeguards to work this summer following more than a year out of the water due to the global pandemic.”

“I want to thank our water safety instructors who have accomplished a Herculean task of training hundreds of lifeguards to work in City pools this summer. Thanks to these efforts, and our amazing team of Parks & Rec lifeguards, we are on track to open the majority of City pools in the next few weeks.”

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the 2021 lifeguard recruitment process looked very different for Parks & Rec:

• The recruitment timeline: The department typically begins recruitment in November, and actively targets recertification classes to college students returning home for the winter break. This year, recruitment began in mid-March due to COVID-19 related restrictions
• Pool access: Parks & Rec typically offers training and certification classes at School District of Philadelphia indoor pools year-round. This year, we were unable to get access to these pools. As a result, we installed pool heaters and deck warming stations at an outdoor pool, which we opened in March to make daily training available.
• Capacity limits: Class sizes were limited due to COVID-19 protocols, and all applicants were required to pre-register for a training or screening time.
• Skill building: Following a year or more out of the water due to the pandemic, candidates required extra training to regain swimming and rescue skills and build their stamina.

While seasonal employers across the country face reported labor shortages, Parks & Rec has employed a variety of new tactics to maximize interest in lifeguarding with the City. Efforts include:

• Raised the starting pay to $15.25 / hour.
• Covered the Red Cross certification fee to applications 16-24 years old.
• Hosted virtual and in-person job fairs.
• Attended virtual and in-person recruitment events.
• Targeted social media advertising.
• Engaged local schools and universities.
• Door to door canvassing and a street team.
• Partnership with iHeart Media/Power99.
• Engaged partners such as the Black Clergy, recreation advisory councils, and grassroots community groups to support recruitment and outreach.
• Engaged other City agencies and City Council offices in recruitment and outreach.

Since launching its recruitment effort on March 16, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation was able to recruit, train, and certify hundreds of lifeguards and pool staff to open 47 free public pools this summer, approximately 70% of the City’s outdoor pools. The process to train, certify, and hire a candidate takes at least 4-6 weeks. Training will continue over the summer months to ensure Parks & Rec can return to a full complement of pool staff next year.

The pool opening schedule is subject to change and available here.

Wednesday, June 30 

Thursday, July 1 

Friday, July 2 

Saturday, July 3 

Tuesday, July 6 

Wednesday, July 7 

Thursday, July 8 

Friday, July 9 

 Saturday, July 10 

Opening soon 

The following pools are scheduled to open soon. Please check back for exact opening dates: 

NOTE TO EDITORS:

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

Media are invited to the pool opening press conference, June 30 at 11:30 a.m. at James Finnegan Playground, 6801 Grovers Avenue, Philadelphia.

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Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PPR) advances the prosperity of the city and the progress of her people through intentional and sustained stewardship of nearly 10,200 acres of public land and waterways as well as through hundreds of safe, stimulating recreation, environmental and cultural centers. PPR promotes the well-being and growth of the city’s residents by connecting them to the natural world around them, to each other and to fun, physical and social opportunities. PPR is responsible for the upkeep of historically significant Philadelphia events and specialty venues, and works collaboratively with communities and organizations in leading capital projects and the introduction of inventive programming. To learn more about Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, visit us at www.phila.gov/parksandrec, and follow @philaparkandrec on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram