Three West Seattle wading pools get season extensions

Thanks to Sarah for the tip on this – she heard that Hiawatha’s wading-pool season would be extended since our not-so-summery weather has meant so few “open” days, so we inquired with Parks, and they’ve just sent an official announcement of wading pools citywide – including THREE in West Seattle, E.C. Hughes and Delridge as well as Hiawatha – where the closing date has been pushed back – click ahead for details:

Seattle Parks Acting Superintendent Christopher Williams announced today that Parks will extend the wading pool season through August 28 at 11 sites. The season was scheduled to end at these sites on August 21.

Because of budget reductions, Parks stretched its summer program budget by planning for a longer season at the wading pools with the most attendance, and a shorter season for those with lower attendance rates, thus keeping as many wading pools open as possible.

Cool, rainy weather caused Parks not to open wading pools on quite a number of days this summer, and the savings from those “closures” enables Parks to extend the season at the “short season” sites.

They are:

Wading Pool Address Added Days Times

Bitter Lake Community Center 13035 Linden Ave. N August 24, 25, 26 Noon – 7 pm

Cal Anderson Park 1635 11th Ave. August 26, 27, 28 Noon – 6:45 pm
Dahl Playfield 7700 25th Ave. NE August 23, 24, 25 Noon – 7 pm
Delridge Community Center 4501 Delridge Way SW August 25, 26, 27 Noon – 6:45 pm
East Queen Anne Playfield 160 Howe St. August 22, 23, 28 Noon – 7 pm
E.C. Hughes Playground 2805 SW Holden St. August 24, 25, 26 Noon – 7 pm
Hiawatha Community Center 2700 Calif. Ave. SW August 22, 23, 24 Noon – 6:45 pm
Soundview Playfield 1590 NW 90th St. August 22, 27, 28 Noon – 7 pm
South Park Community Center 8319 8th Ave. S August 22, 23, 28 Noon – 7 pm
Wallingford Playfield 4219 Wallingford Ave. N August 24, 25, 26 Noon – 7 pm
*Powell Barnett Park 352 Martin Luther King. Jr. Way August 27 and Sept. 3 Noon – 7 pm

This summer’s cool, rainy weather has meant that on many days, Parks has not opened the wading pools, resulting in modest budget savings. There is enough in savings to open the above wading pools, ordinarily open three days per week, for three additional days.

The pools will open on these dates if there the weather forecast is for sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s. The wading pool hotline is updated each day by 9 a.m.: 206-684-7796.

Westside August 16, 2011 (3:27 pm)

Anyone know how/when the decision is made to open the pools on a given day? A few weekends back it was forecast to be 73 and partly sunny. It was cloudy in the morning but gorgeous in the afternoon and we (and several others) were disappointed to arrive at Lincoln park only to find the pool (and presumable all city wading pools) closed. Is there a hotline? Does the forecast have to be for full sun? If so, I imagine the pools haven’t been open a day all Summer.

nighthawk August 16, 2011 (4:08 pm)

I thought the rule was “forcasted to be over 70”. I have no idea what time that decision is made though. I would be interested to find out though too.

WSB August 16, 2011 (4:12 pm)

I asked the city Parks Dept. a month or two ago when someone else brought this up. Sadly, I did not get a chance to publish the response, and now I can’t find it! Trying.

WS Mama August 16, 2011 (5:35 pm)

The wading pool hotline is (206) 684-7796. They update it daily. I had a similar disappointment one day so always call now if there is any question.

Highland Park Waders August 16, 2011 (5:42 pm)

We always call the Wading Pool Hotline 206-684-7796 before heading out. Last night was the first time all summer that we have visited a wading pool that was actually FULL vs half full or less.

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