Pools Reopen, but With New Rules

Starting June 1, the city began reopening select pools to the public. Due to lifeguard shortages – the city has only 200 guards ready to work at the moment, instead of the 750 it typically employs during the summer – not all pools will open immediately, and those that open will do so for only four days a week, to allow for extensive cleaning. Splash pads will remain closed for the time being.

The Parks and Recreation Department has set a number of rules to try to minimize exposure:

• All patrons will be screened before entering any pool facility, including a temperature check, and must provide a name and phone number/email address for contract tracing purposes. 

• Masks are required upon entry, but may be removed when swimming or interacting with the water. Pool users should practice social distancing by remaining six feet away from other swimmers.

• No admission fees will be charged during modified COVID-19 operations; however, pool capacities will be limited, and pools will close every two hours for cleaning and to allow new guests to enter.

• Neighborhood pools allow drop-in swims, but reservations will be required at Deep Eddy, Barton Springs, Bartholomew, Walnut Creek, Garrison, Northwest, and Mabel Davis.

The following modified operating hours were proposed in a May 29 memorandum by City Manager Spencer Cronk detailing plans for four city departments to expand service. Per the memo, they "will be evaluated weekly based on available resources."

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Find more info, and how to make reservations: www.austintexas.gov/page/pools-splash-pads.

Opened Mon.-Tue., June 1-2

Govalle Pool – 1-7pm; closed Sun., Tue., Thu.

Rosewood Pool – 1-7pm; closed Sun., Wed., Fri.

Shipe Pool – 1-7pm; closed Tue., Thu., Sat.

Big Stacy Pool – 6am-noon weekdays; 1-7pm Sun.; closed Mon., Fri., Sat. (lap swim weekdays; rec swim weekends)

Opening Fri.-Sat., June 5-6

Mabel Davis Pool – 1-7pm; closed Tue., Thu., Sat.

Northwest Pool – 1-7pm; closed Sun., Tue., Thu.

Walnut Creek Pool – 1-7pm; closed Mon., Wed., Sat.

Bartholomew Pool – 1-7pm; closed Mon., Wed., Fri.

Garrison Pool – 1-7pm; closed Mon., Wed., Fri.

Opening Mon., June 8

Deep Eddy Pool – 8am-2pm weekdays; 1-7pm Sat.; closed Sun., Tue., Fri. (lap swim only 8am-noon weekdays)

Opening Tue., June 9

Barton Springs Pool – 5-7am, 8am-10pm; closed after 7am Mon., Wed., Thu.