School's Out for Summer! Keep Cool at a City Pool, Sprayground, and Your Neighborhood Library!
By Peter SM Tue, June 4, 2019Today marks the last day of classes for School District of Philadelphia teachers and students and the beginning of summer break!
Most thoughts and activities will turn to the outdoors, and when it's time to keep cool from that sweltering sun, you'll want to know where your nearest neighborhood pools and spraygrounds are located. This year, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation’s 74 outdoor pools will open on a rolling basis beginning June 17 through June 28. Don't know how to swim? There will be free swim lessons available this year as well! Click on the map image below to find your neighborhood pool!
Or if a sprayground is more your speed, there are a number of them around the city, most around or in neighborhood playgrounds, suitable for all ages. Click on the map image below to find your spraygrounds!
Don't have a swimsuit? Philadelphia Parks & Recreation is leading a citywide campaign to collect and distribute new swimwear and swim accessories for Philly’s youth! Swimwear items being asked for and collected include:
- Youth and adult bathing suits (all sizes)
- Swim diapers (all sizes)
- Flip flops (all sizes)
- Beach towels
- Goggles
Note: only new items with tags will be accepted. Used items will not be accepted.
Donations can be dropped off at one of these six locations:
- Center City: One Parkway Building (1515 Arch Street, 1st Floor)
- West Philadelphia: Carousel House (4300 Avenue of the Republic)
- Northeast Philadelphia: James Ramp Playground (3300 Solly Ave.)
- Northwest Philadelphia: Kendrick Recreation Center (5822 Ridge Ave.)
- South Philadelphia: Guerin Recreation Center (2201 S. 16th Street)
- North Philadelphia: Athletic Recreation Center, 1400 N. 26th Street)
Drop-off times are 2:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
And when you want to take a break from the pool or sprayground, remember you can also keep cool at your neighborhood Free Library location, where there will be fun and free events taking place all summer long—from Summer Reading and movie screenings to storytimes and summer camps, cooking classes and crafts to gaming and interactive exhibitions—and so much more!
Have a question for Free Library staff? Please submit it to our Ask a Librarian page and receive a response within two business days.