Most area schools are out for the summer, and Memorial Day weekend is right around the corner, which means you can soon dip into two of Jefferson City's public swimming pools and take advantage of some new aquatic features.
Ellis-Porter Riverside Pool
Ellis-Porter Riverside Pool, at 320 Ellis-Porter Drive, will be open May 25-Sept. 2. Times vary each day; visit www.jeffersoncitymo.gov/parkfull/swimming_pools/ellis-porter_riverside_pool.php for the complete schedule.
Lap swimming is open 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Ellis-Porter Riverside Pool features a drop-down slide, climbing wall, diving board, zero-depth entry, shallow play features, alligator and lobster stationary inflatables, and an ADA-compliant pool lift.
The pool also features two new party pads, which will open in mid-June, said Julie Haupt, Jefferson City Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department aquatic program manager.
This will help people host birthday parties while giving the public more room to sit at the pool, she added.
The Parks and Recreation Department plans to host several special pool events at Ellis-Porter Riverside Pool, including a new "Human Battleship" event.
Human Battleship will take place 7:30-9 p.m. June 15 and July 26. Teams of four, ages 16 years and older, will try to sink their opponents' canoes with buckets of water. It costs $20 per boat to participate.
"We wanted to try this kind of event because we wanted to get more community members involved," Haupt said. "This event is competitive, but it's also going to be really, really fun."
If there is enough interest and participation, she added, she would like to create a Human Battleship league next year.
The Welcome to Neverland Pool Party - which will feature treasure hunts, cool crafts, snacks and swimming - will be from 6:30-8 p.m. June 14. It is for children ages 2-10 years old and costs $10 per child. Pre-registration is required.
The Trolls Pool Party will feature activities, games, snacks and swimming for youths 2-10 years old from 6:30-8 p.m. July 19. It costs $10 per child. Pre-registration is required.
During the Float Your Boat races at Ellis-Porter Riverside Park, teams of two to six participants can design and build a human-powered boat made out of cardboard and duct tape that can complete a 50-meter course. The event will run 5:30-7 p.m. Aug. 3, and it costs $20 per boat.
The Ellis-Porter Riverside Pool and Memorial Park Family Aquatic Center will offer a Father's Day special June 16, where fathers can swim for free with a paid youth admission.
Memorial Park Family Aquatic Center
Memorial Park Family Aquatic Center, at 120 Binder Drive, will open from noon-7 p.m. daily May 26-Aug. 11. On July 4 and Aug. 11, the pool will be open from noon-5 p.m.
Lap swimming is open 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Lap lanes will also be available during public swim hours.
The pool features two open flume slides, two drop-down slides, a climbing wall, lily pad walk, zero-depth entry, lap lanes and an ADA compliant pool lift.
Memorial Park Family Aquatic Center will also feature a new hippo slide for children from infant through 7-year-olds, Haupt said. It will not be available until late June or early July, she added.
Pet owners can enjoy the pool with their dogs from 6-7 p.m. Aug. 11 at Memorial Park Family Aquatic Center. The event costs $4 per dog, and dogs receive a PupCup custard from Culver's. Dogs must be on a leash, but owners can take the leashes off when their dogs are in the water. The Parks Department recommends not bringing young children to the Memorial Park Family Aquatic Center to swim during the event.
Prices
Public admission for youths (1-17 years old) at both pools costs $4.50, and for adults 18 years and older, it's $5.50. Children under 1 year old are admitted for free during public swim hours.
Public admission after 5 p.m. for youths costs $3.50 and for adults costs $4 at both pools.
Youth season passes cost $70, and adult season passes cost $90. Family season passes - for up to four members - cost $180, and it's $30 extra for each additional family member.
Lap swimming costs $2 daily.