Outdoor pools will be open Saturday, June 8 through Sunday, August 18
Friday, June 7, 2024 — Cleveland — The City of Cleveland announced its 2024 Summer Pool Schedule today, which will allow residents to enjoy the various outdoor pools throughout the city starting this Saturday, June 8 at noon.
Last year, the City had to modify its summer pool schedule due to the nationwide lifeguard shortage that other cities – like Minneapolis, Los Angeles, and Atlanta – also experienced. This City made a concerted effort to improve recruitment heading into this year, which included:
- Incentivizing lifeguard training by offering high school students the opportunity to earn pay while taking classes – previously, candidates had to complete training first before being hired and earning pay
- Increasing pay again to over $15/hour once hired – the third year in a row that pay was increased as lifeguards previously made $11/hour in 2021.
- Held multiple training classes at rec centers across the City from September 2023 through May 2024
- Utilized various routes to spread awareness through social media, working with local media partners, pushing out robocalls to residents, and other methods
Despite these many efforts, the City saw a decrease in applications and is faced with another lifeguard shortage, which is something that other areas of the country – like Milwaukee, Arkansas, Virginia, and Maine – are experiencing again this year.
“The lifeguard shortage continues to be an issue that communities across the country face and that is no different here in Cleveland,” said Recreation Commissioner Sam Gissentaner. “We strategically came up with a plan that maximizes our limited resources through a creative schedule that allows all operable pools citywide to be open throughout the summer with safety at top of mind. This ensures that all of our residents will be able to enjoy their local pool.”
The Division of Recreation is still actively encouraging anyone who has a Red Cross lifeguarding certification and wants to lifeguard in Cleveland – even if you don’t live in the city – to call (216)-664-3987. Those who already have a certification can go through a fast-tracked application process and be hired to work this summer.
Pools will operate under the following schedule, but are subject to daily changes depending on staffing levels.
OPERATIONAL PLAN
All current operational outdoor and indoor pools, located in various Neighborhood Resource and Recreation Centers (NRRCs), will be open for the 2024 summer season from Saturday, June 8 through Sunday, August 18. Each pool has a capacity limit with safety at the forefront of all decisions. Normal hours of operation are noon – 7:45 p.m., but will close daily from 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. for lifeguard breaks and pool maintenance. For the safety of both residents and staff, facilities will have armed security from opening to closing each day of operations.
Pools will operate 45-minute sessions to maximize customer usage. At the conclusion of each session, users must leave the pool and are free to check back in to re-enter the pool. Customers must line up for each session and are admitted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Depending on staffing levels, all deep ends of pools will likely be closed for customer safety. Again, schedules are subject to daily changes depending on staffing.
- Outdoor pools that are open include: Duggan Park, Forest Hills Park, Gassaway Pool, Greenwood Park, Halloran Park, Impett Park, James Bell Pool, Kerruish Park, Lincoln Park, Loew Park, Luke Easter Park, Mark Tromba Park, Meyer Pool, Neff Pool, Sunrise Pool / Mercedes Cotner Park, Warsaw Park, and Woodland.
- Indoor NRRC pools that are open include: Collinwood, Cudell, Earle B. Turner, Estabrook, Fairfax, Frederick Douglass, Glenville, Hamilton, Kovacic, Lonnie Burten, Michael Zone, Stella Walsh and Thurgood Marshall.
- Pools closed due to renovations include: Central NRRC, Clark NRRC, Cory NRRC, Gunning NRRC, Glendale Park, Lonnie Burten (outdoor only), Lake Park, Sterling NRRC, and Woodland (indoor only)
WEEKLY SCHEDULE
- Mondays & Tuesdays – All indoor pools will be open. Outdoor pools will remain closed.
- Wednesdays through Sundays – All outdoor pools will be open.
These indoor NRRC pools will also be open a third day of the week:
- Wednesdays – Collinwood, Lonnie Burten, Stella Walsh, Thurgood Marshall
- Thursdays – Cudell, Fairfax, Glenville, Hamilton
- Fridays – Earle B. Turner, Estabrook, Frederick Douglass, Kovacic, Michael Zone
Indoor pools will resume normal operations Monday through Friday (11:30a.m. – 8 p.m.) and Saturdays (9:30a.m. – 6 p.m.) beginning August 19 – the first day of school for Cleveland Metropolitan Schools.
Visit the City’s website for a full list and locations of the City’s pools, spray parks, and NRRCs.
Admission to pools are free, as are all of the City’s Summer Programming options. View the entire slate of summer programs available free to Cleveland residents of all ages, from toddlers to seniors. Residents can create an account and register through the City’s online catalog.
