City aquatic centers, spraygrounds open May 23

(May 5, 2009) - Swimmers looking to splash into summer will get their chance Memorial Day weekend when the City’s two family aquatic centers and 16 spraygrounds open for the 2009 season.

Earlywine Family Aquatic Center, SW 119th and May, and Will Rogers Family Aquatic Center, NW 36th at Grand Boulevard, will both open at noon on Saturday, May 23.  Aquatic center hours are noon - 6 p.m. May 23 - 25, noon - 9 p.m. May 30 - August 16.  The aquatic centers will shift to a weekends-only schedule August 21 - September 7.

Admission to the family aquatic centers is $5 per person before 6 p.m.  Twilight fees of $3 per person after 6 p.m. begin May 30.  Season passes are available for $50 per person or $150 for a family of four. Season pass holders are offered admission at 11 a.m. Monday – Friday. 

Swimming lessons at the family aquatic centers will begin on June 8.  Five two-week sessions are available:  June 8-18, June 22-July 2, July 6-16, July 20-30, August 3-13.  Lessons cost $20 per session, per participant.

SPRAYGOUNDS
The City’s 16 spraygrounds will also open on May 23.  Operating hours are 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily through Monday, September 7. A new sprayground at Schilling Park, 537 SE 25, joins the 15 spraygrounds the City installed in 2005, 2007 and 2008.  Sprayground locations include:

Douglass Park, 901 Frederick Douglass Ave
EB Jeffrey Park, 4432 NW 16
Harvest Hills Park, NW 104th & Harvest Hills Dr
Lippert Park, 5500 S Shartel
Macklanburg Park, 11700 N Stratford Dr
McCracken Park, SE 64 & Byers Ave
McKinley Park, 1300 N McKinley
Melrose Park, NW 5 & Council
Memorial Park, 3600 N Classen
North Highland Park, NW 82 & Harvey
Reed Park, NW 12 & May Ave
Schilling Park, 537 SE 25
Sellers Park, 8301 S Villa
Taylor Park, 1115 SW 70
Wiley Post Park, SW 17 & Robinson
Youngs Park, SW 44 & Youngs

The City’s four other pools will open Tuesday, June 16.

REGULATIONS
Children under six years of age must be accompanied by an adult at all of the City’s aquatics facilities, including spraygrounds. Children under four must wear plastic pants or swim diapers in pools. Footwear such as boat shoes or swimming “slippers” is recommended at all spraygrounds.

More information about the City’s aquatics program is available by calling (405) 297-2211, or visiting the City’s Web site at www.okc.gov/parks.