Pools and rules and tools for swimming in Los Angeles city pools this summer

Splash, splash.

High dive, low dive.

Wade in the shallow end.

Sound like the beginning of a Dr. Seuss book?

Nope. It’s about a fairly inexpensive way for friends and family to cool off in the clear, invigorating waters of Los Angeles city pools, especially should continuing predictions of a much hotter upcoming summer hold true.

It’s all about taking a dip, swimming laps, joining swim lessons or just splashing around in one of the city’s more than 50 city park pools that opened earlier this month until Labor Day weekend.

“We want people to know about our swim lessons that cost $10 per participant per session,” said Rose Watson, a spokesperson for the city’s Department of Recreation and Parks. “That is huge because it’s important for our youth to learn how to swim … whether it’s in their pool, at their apartment or the beach. They need to be safe in all bodies of water.”

The $10 fee includes 10 swim lessons lasting 25 minutes each over a two-week period. Watson promoted other swim-related programs such as kayaking, paddle boarding, team sports and more June through August. “There’s a variety of swim programs for $10,” she said.

The city’s aquatics division operates 39 seasonal swimming pools, 16 year-round swimming pools, three camp pools and three Los Angeles Unified School District pools.

For now, seasonal pool hours are 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.

Beginning June 17, the hours for seasonal pools will be extended to noon to 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the weekends.

The city also operates 11 open water facilities year-round and offers fishing, paddle boating and small craft programs. Pools hours can vary, so it’s best to check in with the pool site where you might be interested in splashing around.

Sixteen pools operate year-round and offer late afternoon and evening swim sessions to the general public. Some pools offer morning and noon lap swim sessions.

Forty summer pools are open during the summer season. These outdoor facilities offer morning and afternoon public swim sessions.

But Costello, Granada Hills, Griffith Park and Rustic Canyon pools remain closed this summer due to ongoing maintenance.

Check the websites ahead of time to find out availability and hours at your favorite city pool, or to search for facilities that have diving boards, wading pools or water slides.

Here is a list of summer pools:  www.laparks.org/aquatic/summer-pool

Here is a list of year-round pools:  www.laparks.org/aquatic/year-round

Here are some San Fernando Valley pools that are operating:

• Cleveland High School Pool, 8120 Vanalden Ave., Reseda818-756-9798M-F: 1-8 p.m.; Weekend: 1-5 p.m.
• Hansen Dam Aquatic Center, 11798 Foothill Blvd., Lake View Terrace818-899-3779M-F: 7 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Weekend: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Lanark Pool, 21817 Strathern St., Canoga Park818-887-1745M-F: 3-7 p.m.; Weekend: 1-5 p.m.
• North Hollywood Pool, 5301 Tujunga Ave., North Hollywood818-755-7654M-F: 3-7 p.m.; Weekend: 1-5 p.m.
• Northridge Pool, 10088 Reseda Blvd., Northridge818-709-7475 (temporarily down), alternate phone number 213-913-5384M-F: 3-7 p.m.; Weekend: 1-5 p.m.
• Reseda Park Pool, 18411 Victory Blvd., Reseda818-996-6834M-F: 3-7 p.m.; Weekend: 1-5 p.m.
• Sun Valley Park Pool, 8123 Vineland Ave., Sun Valley818-252-0835M-F: 3-7 p.m.; Weekend: 1-5 p.m.
• Sylmar Pool, 13109 Borden Ave., Sylmar818-367-6727M-F: 3-7 p.m.; Weekend: 1-5 p.m.
• Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Pool, 14201 Huston St., Van Nuys818-783-6721M-F: Adult lap swim, 6-10 a.m., noon-9 p.m. Recreational swim, noon-9 p.m. Weekend: Saturday lap swim 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday noon-5 p.m.; Recreational swim, noon-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
• Woodland Hills Pool, 5858 Shoup Ave., Woodland Hills818-704-1509/1541M-F: 3-7 p.m.; Weekend: 1-5 p.m.

Information about using City of Los Angeles pools (Schedules may vary at recreation centers):

• Fees: $4 ages 18-49; $1 ages 50 and older, ages 0-17 and persons with disabilities.
• Children ages 6 and younger must be accompanied by an adult on a one-to-one ratio. Only cash is accepted.
• Children ages 3 and younger must wear an approved “swim diaper” or plastic pants with elastic around the waist and legs.
• Men must wear swim trunks with a liner AND a drawstring, board shorts are acceptable.
• Females must wear a bathing suit, one-piece or two-piece.
• No cut-offs, bike shorts, basketball shorts, or street shorts.
• No white t-shirts or white rash guards or shirts of any kind.
• Swimsuit must cover the buttocks; no thongs.
• No bodysuits or leotards.
• A test for swimming proficiency will be given to those wishing to use a diving board.
• Also, check online for more rules and other information including the junior lifeguard program; group, private and semi-private swimming lessons; and swim team sports. The swimming brochure is available on each recreation center’s website page.
• Children ages 3 to 6 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian in the water.
• The facilities offer universal changing rooms or showers.
• All city aquatics facilities offer accessible ADA pool lifts. Contact pool staff for details.

Children can register for low-cost or free group swim lessons at www.swimla.org. Find locations at the Aquatics Division, 323-906-7953, or online, www.swimla.org. Details: www.laparks.org/aquatics

And don’t forget the PlayLA program, which the city describes online as not only a lot of fun, but that also aims to “eliminate economic barriers and promote recreation that is inclusive of all communities in Los Angeles.”

In 2028, Los Angeles will host the Summer Olympic & Paralympic Games for the third time. The city hosted the Olympics in 1932 and decades later in 1984. And now, decades later once again, a new generation in Los Angeles will host the Olympics in 2028.

Through the PlayLA program, youth of all abilities can access quality sports available from their local neighborhood recreation center and join the Olympic movement.

Youth sports clinics range from swimming to baseball to football, and adaptive youth sports clinics include swimming, skateboarding and more.

PlayLA welcomes all youth ages 5-17 for a $10 per registration fee.

For more information, visit https://www.laparks.org/play-la.

Also, check out the Los Angeles summer 2024 brochure for more fun activities throughout the summer. Visit culture.lacity.gov.