The Parks & Recreation Department (PRD) is gearing up to open the City’s outdoor pools and splashpads this month. Mayor Tim Keller expressed excitement about the upcoming summer activities, stating, "City pools and splashpads are the perfect place for families to have fun and cool off this summer." The schedule for the opening of outdoor pools in Albuquerque will see some changes this season, with Sierra Vista's and West Mesa's outdoor pools set to open first on Saturday, May 11, 2024, followed by Eisenhower's outdoor pool on Saturday, May 18.
PRD Director Dave Simon emphasized the importance of swimming for both safety and enjoyment, stating, "Everyone should learn to swim for safety and water fun." The pools will initially be open to the general public on weekends during May for recreational swim, with additional usage for Albuquerque Public School (APS) physical education classes.
The official summer season for all of the City’s outdoor pools will kick off on Saturday, May 25, for the Memorial Day weekend, before closing from May 28 to May 31 for staff training. This closure aligns with the end of the APS school year, allowing high school student lifeguards to undergo comprehensive training. Regular summer hours will resume on Saturday, June 1, offering various activities such as swim lessons, swim teams, and water polo.
In addition to the outdoor pools, splashpads like North Domingo Baca and Civic Plaza are already open, with others like Cesar Chavez and Manzano Mesa set to open on Monday, June 17. Summer swim passes are available for purchase in advance, and special deals, such as free swimming for kids under 17 on Sundays and $1 swim nights at select pools, are being offered.
PRD Director Dave Simon encouraged families to enroll in swimming lessons, as one month of lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by 88%. Registration for June classes will open on Saturday, May 4, while July classes will be available for registration on June 15. Moreover, the PRD will participate in the World’s Largest Swim Lesson on June 20, offering free lessons to both adults and children.
For more information on swimming lessons and program enrollment, interested individuals can visit the PRD website.