Houston City Pools to Open for Memorial Day Weekend
Despite an ongoing lifeguard shortage, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department is optimistic about staffing more pools during the summer. Ten swimming pools operated by the City of Houston are slated to open on Saturday for Memorial Day weekend.
Current Pool Status
All but two of the city’s 38 pools are operational, according to Brenda Cabaniss, a spokesperson for the Houston Parks and Recreation Department. However, only 10 will be staffed from Saturday through Monday, when city pools are opening for the first time this year.
Recruiting Lifeguards
The department is actively recruiting lifeguards, including through its website. In addition to the 40-plus lifeguards currently on staff, Cabaniss said more than 100 others have successfully submitted applications and nearly 70 have been offered jobs. The department’s goal is to have all 36 pools open, which seems achievable given the current recruiting numbers.
Pool Schedule for Memorial Day Weekend
At least two pools apiece in four different geographic areas of the city will be open this weekend. The schedule is as follows:
- Saturday: 1-7 p.m.
- Sunday: 1-6 p.m.
- Monday: 1-5 p.m.
City pools will then close until June 10, when the parks department will start its full weekday schedule for the summer.
List of Open Pools
The following pools will be open this weekend:
- Alief Park: 11903 Bellaire Blvd., 281-983-8137
- Emancipation Park: 3018 Emancipation Ave., 713-528-1872
- Judson Robinson Sr. Park: 1422 Ledwicke St., 713-672-8958
- Love Park: 1000 W. 12th St., 713-867-0490
- MacGregor Park: 5225 Calhoun Rd., 713-748-0317
- Mason Park: 541 South 75th St., 713-928-4826
- Northline Park: 6911 Nordling Rd., 713-742-1512
- Schwartz Park: 8203 Vogue Ln., 713-973-6310
- T.C. Jester Park: 4201 T.C. Jester Blvd., 832-395-7000
- Wilson Memorial Park: 100 Gilpin St., 713-948-9051
Recent History of City Pools
The parks department has opened only a portion of its pools during recent summers due to staffing shortages. After all city pools were closed in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city operated 10 pools in 2021, 14 in 2022, and 23 in 2023. The city utilized all of its pools last year, but not at the same time, instead operating them on a rotating basis.
Conclusion
The Houston Parks and Recreation Department is hopeful that it can staff more pools during the summer, despite the ongoing lifeguard shortage. With recruiting numbers looking good, the department is optimistic about meeting its goal of having all 36 pools open. This would be a significant improvement from recent years and would provide more opportunities for residents to enjoy the city’s pools during the summer months.
