Dallas, September 10, 2025
News Summary
The Dallas Park and Recreation Department plans to close all nine community pools, which have served residents for over 50 years, within the next three years. This initiative aims to enhance the city’s aquatic facilities while ensuring financial accessibility for families. The aquatics division offers various swimming programs and seasonal employment opportunities, including positions for lifeguards and swim instructors. The city’s focus on maintaining affordable access to aquatic resources includes community pools, Cove Aquatic Centers, and free spraygrounds, catering to residents of all ages.
Dallas — The Dallas Park and Recreation Department’s aquatics division operates a comprehensive network of water facilities and programs across the city, offering public pools, large aquatic centers, spraygrounds and a family waterpark, while emphasizing financial accessibility and seasonal employment. Most immediately notable is the plan to decommission all nine community pools, each more than 50 years old, within the next three years. The department also hires hundreds of lifeguards, swim instructors and facility managers each summer and provides structured swim lessons and fitness programming for residents of all ages.
What is available now
The city’s aquatics system includes a range of facility types to serve neighborhood, regional and citywide needs:
- Nine community pools that currently provide open swims, swim lessons and youth programming; these pools are over 50 years old and scheduled for decommissioning within three years.
- Four Cove Aquatic Centers, regional facilities combining recreational and fitness features such as lap pools, diving boards, slides, climbing walls, toddler play areas, lazy rivers, shaded cabanas and concessions.
- Two Community Aquatic Centers, mid-sized sites with six-lane lap pools, climbing walls, basketball goals, flume slides, toddler pools with play structures, shade structures, group pavilions, picnic seating and concessions.
- Three Neighborhood Aquatic Centers, smaller facilities focused on localized communities with lane lap pools, climbing walls, basketball goals, slides, toddler pools with interactive features, group pavilions, picnic areas, lounge seating, bath houses, family changing rooms and lockers.
- Spraygrounds in several city parks offering free, zero-depth water play for children—especially positioned where nearby pools are not available.
- Bahama Beach Waterpark, an outdoor family waterpark designed for family recreation.
- A partnership facility with Dallas ISD at Pleasant Grove that expands access to indoor swimming and water fitness programming.
Programs and instruction
Structured instructional and recreational programming is available throughout the system. Swim lessons follow the American Red Cross curriculum and are offered for all ages, from infant parent-child classes through advanced courses for youth and adults. A recreational summer swim team teaches competitive swimming skills across the standard strokes. Water fitness options include lap swimming, low-impact aerobics and therapeutic exercise classes designed to meet a range of ability levels.
Costs, discounts and resident access
The city aims to keep aquatic access affordable. Community pools charge minimal admission fees and offer discounts for children and family passes. A Dallas resident rate is available to those who present valid identification showing a Dallas address. Spraygrounds remain free to use and require no admission fee, providing a cost-free option for outdoor water play.
Staffing and seasonal jobs
Each summer the aquatics division hires hundreds of seasonal staff, including lifeguards, swim instructors and facility managers. New hires receive training in lifeguarding, CPR and water safety instruction certification. Seasonal positions are intended to provide work opportunities for local youths and college students seeking part-time or summer employment.
Planned changes and timeline
All nine community pools are slated for decommissioning within the next three years due to their age and condition; each of these pools has been in service for more than five decades. The department is moving forward with plans to retire these aging facilities while maintaining programs and services across other facility types, including aquatics centers, spraygrounds and partnership venues.
How residents can get details
Residents seeking schedules, admission rates, lesson registration, employment opportunities or facility locations should consult the city’s aquatics department website and local recreation center postings for the most current information and seasonal updates.
Background and context
The aquatics division’s diverse portfolio is designed to serve neighborhoods with a mix of recreational play, competitive training and fitness programming. Large Cove Aquatic Centers act as regional draws with multiple amenities, mid-sized Community Aquatic Centers balance fitness and family features, and Neighborhood Aquatic Centers provide closer, localized access. Spraygrounds add free, low-barrier water play options for younger children and neighborhoods with limited pool access. The combination of public pools, aquatic centers and a partnership indoor facility aims to make water access broadly available while the department phases out older community pools.
FAQ
How many pools and aquatic centers does Dallas operate?
The city operates nine community pools, four Cove Aquatic Centers, two Community Aquatic Centers and three Neighborhood Aquatic Centers, plus spraygrounds, the Bahama Beach Waterpark and a partnership facility with Dallas ISD at Pleasant Grove.
Are community pools closing?
Yes. All nine community pools are over 50 years old and are planned for decommissioning within the next three years.
What programs are offered?
Programs include American Red Cross-based swim lessons for all ages, a recreational summer swim team, lap swimming, low-impact aerobics and therapeutic exercise classes.
How much does it cost to use pools?
Community pools charge minimal admission fees, and the city offers discounts for children and family passes. Spraygrounds are free.
Is there a resident discount?
Yes. A Dallas resident rate is available when presenting valid ID with a Dallas address.
Are there job opportunities?
Yes. The department hires hundreds of seasonal lifeguards, swim instructors and facility managers each summer, with required training in lifeguarding, CPR and water safety instruction. Positions are suitable for youths and college students.
Where can I find more information?
Information on schedules, registration and employment is available through the city’s aquatics department materials and its website.
| Facility Type | Count | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Community pools | 9 | Open swims, swim lessons, youth programming; all >50 years old; slated for decommissioning |
| Cove Aquatic Centers | 4 | Lap pools, diving boards, slides, climbing walls, lazy rivers, toddler areas, concessions |
| Community Aquatic Centers | 2 | Six-lane lap pools, flume slides, toddler pools, group pavilions, concessions |
| Neighborhood Aquatic Centers | 3 | Lane lap pools, slides, toddler play, family changing rooms, lockers |
| Spraygrounds | Several | Free, zero-depth water play for children in parks |
| Bahama Beach Waterpark | 1 | Outdoor family waterpark |
| Pleasant Grove (Dallas ISD partnership) | 1 | Indoor swimming and water fitness programming |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- Dallas News: Water Play Available to Residents
- Mommy Poppins: Best Lazy Rivers in Dallas-Fort Worth
- WFAA: Things to Do This Weekend in Dallas-Fort Worth
- Time Out: Best Things to Do with Kids in Dallas
- My Curly Adventures: Must-Visit Indoor Water Parks in Dallas and Fort Worth
- Wikipedia: Dallas
- Google Search: Dallas Aquatics
- Google Scholar: Dallas Swimming
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Dallas
- Google News: Dallas Water Activities
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
