Memorial Day weekend -- with the school year done or nearly so, and the long days of summer stretched out in the horizon -- is the traditional start to the public pool season.
Large communities tend to have more options: Atlanta has 17 swimming pools, including four natatoriums and 13 outdoor facilities, while DeKalb County's 11 pools include 10 outdoor sites and one aquatic center. But even smaller cities have places to cannonball.
ATLANTA
Atlanta will open most of its 12 outdoor swimming pools Saturday.
The city of Atlanta also plans to open its pools at Anderson Park, Pittman Park and Thomasville Park Saturday-Monday for Memorial Day weekend. Those pools are normally closed on the weekends.
The city began operating splash pads at D.H. Stanton, Center Hill, Historic Fourth Ward and Perkerson Park earlier this month. The city also operates four indoor pool facilities year-round.
Pool fees are $2 for children, $4 for adults, and free for children ages 5 and under. For more information, call 404-546-6788.
CHEROKEE
Cherokee County has no public pools.
CLAYTON
Clayton County's three public pools are already open for the year. The pools at Steve Lundquist Aquatic Center and Virginia Gray Recreation Center are inside pools and open year-round, while the outdoor site at the Carl Rhodenizer Recreation Center opened earlier this month.
But the popular Beach at International Park in Jonesboro -- a spring-fed lake with adventure kiddie pool, slides, sandy beach, water trampoline and sun deck -- officially opens for the year Saturday.
For information about hours and fees, call 770-477-3766 or visit www.claytonparks.com.
COBB
Cobb's four indoor aquatic centers are open year-round and two outdoor seasonal pools in Powder Springs and at Sewell Park in Marietta. The outdoor pools are open May 29 through Aug. 12, and on weekends through Sept. 3 at the Sewell Park location. Daily fees are $3.50 for children and $4.50 for adults.
Specialty offerings include a weight room at the Central Aquatic Center in Marietta and competition and instructional pools at Mountain View Aquatic Center.
The county also offers private and public swim, lifeguard, water safety and CPR classes.
For specific sites and hours: 770-528-8465.
DEKALB
DeKalb's 11 public swimming spots open Saturday through Aug. 6. Some sites will remain open on weekends through Sept. 3.
Specialty offerings include a splash pad at Briarwood pool, zero-depth entry pools at Murphey Candler and Midway pools and water slides and other activities at the Browns Mill Aquatic Center. The county also offers private and public swim lessons.
Fees are $2 for children and $3 for adults at regular pools and between $5 and $12 for the aquatic center, based on county residency. For specific sites and hours: 678-937-8921.
GWINNETT
Summer hours begin Saturday at the two indoor and seven outdoor leisure pools run by Gwinnett's park department. Among the seasonal sites is Best Friend Park Pool in Norcross, which features zero-depth entry, a waterslide and water play structures.
The county also runs three indoor instructional pools, and one outdoor pool and offers private and group swim lessons year-round to all ages. Fees range from $3 to $10, depending on county residency.
For specific hours and sites, call 770-822-8840.
FULTON
The county-run pools at Welcome All Park & Multipurpose Facility in College Park are indoor and already open. One is a lap pool, while the other is a splash pool with a waterslide.
Pool fees can be paid daily or with a monthly pass. For information about classes and lessons, call 404-612-4058.
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