City pools open on Memorial Day

The end of May is a good indicator that summer is just around the corner – and it wouldn’t be summer without swimming pools.

The city plans to turn all but three Wichita public pools into splash parks by 2023, but there will still be eight public pools open this summer, along with the city’s six splash parks.

The city pools open for the season on Monday.

Edgemoor and McAdams Park are the only two pools that will remain closed during the 2017 season.

There are nine water parks and 10 other splash parks in or near the Wichita area available through the summer as well.

Daily admission is $2 for ages 17 and under, $3 for adults and $8 for family groups of six or more with at least one adult. Season passes are $50 per person or $150 for four-person family passes. There are also $40 25-count and $60 50-count coupon books available, with one coupon admitting one child or adult. Season passes and coupon books can be purchased at O.J. Watson Park, 3022 S. McLean Blvd., or at any city pool.

There will also be free swim days provided at each pool throughout the summer.

Youth swimming lessons are offered for ages 3-5 at the College Hill, Linwood and Harvest pools. Private lessons are provided in eight 45-minute classes. Lessons are $75 for the first person and $50 for each additional swimmer. For a full list of swimming lessons and classes, visit the City of Wichita Parks and Recreation website at http://www.wichita.gov/ParkandRec/Aquatics/Pages/Classes.aspx.

Wichita public pools

Aley, 1800 S. Seneca: The pool features two slides, 1-meter and 3-meter diving boards and three shade shelters. Hours are 1-7 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays. Free swim day is July 1. Closing day is Aug. 13.

Boston, 6700 E. Boston: The pool hosts 1-meter and 3-meter diving boards and three shade shelters. Hours are 1-6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. Free swim day is June 26. Closing day is Aug. 6.

College Hill, 304 S. Circle Drive: The pool is equipped with zero-depth entry, one shade shelter, lap-lanes and a mushroom play-piece. Hours are 1-7 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 1-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Free swim day is June 10. Closing day is Aug. 13.

Evergreen, 2700 N. Woodland: The pool features a water slide, 1-meter and 3-meter diving boards and two shade shelters. Hours are 1-6 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays. Free swim day is July 29. Closing day is Aug. 6.

Harvest, 9500 W. Provincial: The pool has two shade shelters, two 1-meter diving boards and a waterslide. Hours are 1-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Sundays. Free swim day is June 4. Closing day is Aug. 13.

Linwood, 1900 S. Hydraulic: The pool features three shade shelters and a 1-meter diving board. Hours are 1-6 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays. Free swim day is July 22. Closing day is Aug. 6.

Minisa, 1350 N. Jeanette: The pool hosts 1-meter and 3-meter diving boards and two shade shelters. Hours are 1-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays and Sundays. Free swim day is July 9. Closing day is Aug. 6.

Orchard, 1062 N. Clara: The pool has two shade shelters and 1-meter and 3-meter diving boards. Hours are 1-6 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays. Free swim day is June 17. Closing day is Aug. 6.

Wichita public splash parks

The splash parks are open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily from May through September, weather permitting. No pets or glass containers allowed. All splash parks are free.

Buffalo Park, 10201 Hardtner: Includes restrooms, a shelter and picnic tables, ground fountains shooting water from colorful concrete and more.

Central Riverside Park, 720 Nims: Provides picnic and bench seating along with multiple interactive water elements and is near the park’s free wildlife exhibit.

Fairmount Park, 1647 N. Yale: Divided into two areas: One for younger children with spray showers and a large green frog and one for older children with a sea monster play-piece and tumble buckets continually dumping water to the ground. Shaded seating is provided.

Lincoln Park, 1323 S. Topeka: Rows of ground fountains line the center of the splash park, with a covered pavilion area and other shaded seating available.

Old Town Plaza, 334 N. Mead: The fountains are in the center of Old Town Square, next to open and shaded seating. The fountains shoot water sporadically in an array of different angles.

Osage Park, 2121 W. 31st St. South: Ground fountains shoot the spray up from patterned concrete. There are spray shower elements themed off of colorful aquatic animals that children can run through. Covered seating areas available.

Wichita membership pools

Rockwood Pool, 7547 E. Rockwood Road: The Rockwood Neighborhood Association opens its pool to the community from Saturday to Labor Day. Hours are 1-9 p.m. daily. The pool is heated, provides a fenced-in baby pool, shade area, concessions and more. Poolside yoga and water aerobics classes are available. Full schedule and fees for pool activities are available at www.rockwoodneighborhood.org. Rockwood resident memberships cost $150 per person or $225 per family. Nonresident memberships cost $335 per person or $510 per family.

Indian Hills Pool, 1158 N. Meridian: The Indian Hills Swim Club pool offers swimming lanes, a poolside basketball goal, shade areas and more. The pool opens Friday and closes on Labor Day. Hours are 1-5 p.m. Mondays, 1-9 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays and Sundays, 1-10 p.m. Fridays and noon-10 p.m. Saturdays. Existing members’ fees will be $310 per person or $475 per family. New members’ fees will be $217 per person or $332.50 per family. Membership fees will increase after Monday.

Wichita-area water parks

Rock River Rapids, 1900 E. James, Derby: The park features slides, a lazy river, a lily pad, pool basketball and more. Opening day is Monday. Hours are 12:30-7 p.m. daily. Admission: $9 adults, $8 ages 3-17, free for ages 2 and under when accompanied by a guest 16 or older.

McPherson Water Park, 511 Lakeside Drive, McPherson: This park features a 500-foot lazy river, a waterslide, a deep diving area and a children’s play area. Opening day is Sunday. Hours are 1-7 p.m. Saturdays-Thursdays and 1-8 p.m. Fridays. Admission: $5 adults, $4 ages 4-7 and 62 and older, $1 ages 3 and under.

Salt City Splash, 1601 S. Plum in Carey Park, Hutchinson: This water park has a 50-meter Olympic-style swimming pool with a drop slide, diving boards, basketball goals, a zero-depth splash pool, a kid play area and more. Open daily 12:30-6:30 p.m. from Memorial Day through mid-August. Admission: $5.25 adults, $4 ages 8-17 and 62 and older, $2 ages 3-7. Free for ages 2 and younger.

Winfield Aquatic Park, 200 E. Ninth St., Winfield: Opening day is Saturday for this park, which features slides and diving boards. Admission is $3 on weekdays, $3.50 on weekends for adults, $2 on weekdays, $2.50 on weekends for children and seniors.

Wellington Family Aquatic Center, 1101 W. Harvey, Wellington: The center features three slides, spray zones and play areas. Hours are 1-7 p.m. daily. Admission: $3 ages 2 and older, free for ages under 2. Opening day is Friday.

Wichita YMCAs: There are four YMCA water parks in Wichita, open to members: the Northeast YMCA, which still has part of FantaSea’s wave pool, the Northwest YMCA, the South YMCA and the Andover YMCA. Opening day for these parks is Saturday. Admission: free for members, $10 for nonmembers or $18 for a daily family pass.

This story was originally published May 25, 2017 at 5:20 PM with the headline "City pools open on Memorial Day."