Friday, Jun. 27, 2008

Pools Open for Summer Fun

Staff Report

The Courier

Grapevine’s two public swimming pools are open for the summer.

The pools are Dove Pool, 1509 Hood Lane, and Pleasant Glade Pool, 1805 Hall-Johnson Road.

General hours for both pools are: Noon to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday; and 1-6 p.m. Sunday.

General Admission: $1.50 per person

Punch Pass: $30 for 25 admissions

Family season pass: $80

Individual season pass: $40

Children younger than 24 months, with parent: Free

Children 9 and younger must always be accompanied by an adult.

Weekly special program hours

Lap swim: 7:30-9:30 p.m. (lane ropes provided) Dove Pool: Monday and Wednesday; Pleasant Glade Pool: Tuesday and Thursday.

Family Night: 7:30-9:30 pm – For family fun, you may bring pool toys/children must be accompanied by an adult. Dove Pool: Tuesday and Thursday; Pleasant Glade Pool: Monday and Wednesday

Pool Rentals – Pools may be reserved for swim parties May 24 to Aug. 24.

For information, please call 817-410-3470.

Swimming safety tips:

Learn to swim. The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim. Always swim with a buddy; never swim alone. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. To enroll in a swim course, contact your local Red Cross chapter.

Swim in areas supervised by a lifeguard.

Read and obey all rules and posted signs.

Children or inexperienced swimmers should take precautions, such as wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal floatation device (PFD) when around the water.

Watch out for the dangerous "too’s" – too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.

Set water safety rules for the whole family based on swimming abilities (for example, inexperienced swimmers should stay in water less than chest deep).

Be knowledgeable of the water environment you are in and its potential hazards, such as deep and shallow areas, currents, depth changes, obstructions and where the entry and exit points are located. The more informed you are, the more aware you will be of hazards and safe practices.

Pay attention to local weather conditions and forecasts. Stop swimming at the first indication of bad weather.

Use a feet-first entry when entering the water.

Enter headfirst only when the area is clearly marked for diving and has no obstructions.

Do not mix alcohol with swimming, diving or boating. Alcohol impairs your judgment, balance, and coordination, affects your swimming and diving skills, and reduces your body’s ability to stay warm.

Know how to prevent, recognize and respond to emergencies.