As we kick off summer, now is a good time to check out some great public pools in metro Atlanta. Tuesday is also a good day to avoid the weekend crowds. Here’s three worth exploring:
EMORY UNIVERSITY'S OUTDOOR POOLS
College kids and young families converge at Emory University’s Outdoor Pools, home to an Olympic-sized pool with 12 lap lanes, a shallow end (that fills up with little ones and their parents) and two 1-meter diving boards. There are also a teaching pool and a kiddie pool. You can buy a 14-visit guest pass that, along with the pools, also gives you access to eight tennis courts (including two clay), an outdoor sand volleyball pit, indoor and outdoor basketball, a fully equipped fitness center, locker rooms and a cafe. There are also two outdoor terraces, a grill, and plenty of seating and shade with sky blue umbrellas and chairs.
The visitor center parking is free on the weekends and during the week after 4 p.m.
$120 for a 14-visit guest pass that never expires. Kids 2 and under are free. Summer passes available.
Summer facility hours through Labor Day. 10 a.m-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; noon-9 p.m. Fridays; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Note: pool closes at 5 p.m. Tuesday for swim meet. Student Activity and Academic Center (SAAC), saac.emory.edu. 1946 Starvine Way, Decatur. 404-712-2430.
PIEDMONT POOL
The Piedmont Park Aquatic Center teems with all sorts of attractions. Overlooking Lake Clara Meer, the Piedmont Pool features a beach entry, four lap lanes, and a current channel. There are also concessions, a small splash pad for the little ones, locker rooms, showers and lounge chairs on a landscaped deck. The fountain features more than 70 jets with water reaching 30 feet into the air.
$5. Season passes available. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday (pool is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m.Mondays-Fridays; noon-5 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays). Season passes available, . www.piedmontpark.org/do/swimming.html. Piedmont Pool, 400 Park Drive, Atlanta. 404-875-7275, ext. 324. Recommended parking is in the SAGE parking facility in the park.
MOUNTAIN PARK AQUATIC CENTER
This facility sports an indoor lap pool that’s open all year. But it’s the outdoor leisure pool (more like a mini water park) that sees the most action during the summer. Its beach-style, zero-depth entry allows swimmers to gradually enter the water. There’s a play area for kids to splash around, as well as the Lazy River, a sectioned-off portion of the pool shaped like a figure-eight with a slow and easy current. A pair of giant water slides shoot thrill-seeking guests into the pool below. There are special events planned throughout the summer. $3.25-$10.50. Gwinnett County residents qualify for major discount on admission. Summer hours through Aug. 5.
Hours for the outdoor leisure play pool through Aug. 5: noon-6 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays; 1-6 p.m. Sundays. (For complete hours on indoor lap pool go to www.gwinnettparks.com.) 1063 Rockbridge Road, Stone Mountain. 678-277-0870.
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