Now that it’s May, get ready to dive into peak Seattle Parks swim season

May is here and peak swim season for Seattle Parks is approaching. We asked Parks about this year’s plans – here are key points:

-Spray parks (including the one in Highland Park, 1100 SW Cloverdale) are expected to open Saturday, May 28th.

-Wading pools don’t have an official start date yet, likely “closer to when school lets out,” Parks tells us, adding, “We’re hopeful that we can staff all the sites as we did in pre-COVID years.”

-West Seattle’s only city-run outdoor pool, Colman Pool on the Lincoln Park shore, is scheduled to open the weekend of June 18-19, going 7 days a week starting June 25th.

-Swimming lessons will be offered this summer at both Colman Pool and Southwest Pool (the indoor pool at 2801 SW Thistle), though Parks warns that some other offerings at Southwest might have to be reduced so they can staff Colman. Maybe you know someone who can help with the swim-staff shortage? Here’s the Parks pitch:

Pools, wading pools, and outdoor pools require staff and we continue to struggle to fill aquatics and lifeguard positions. (Here’s) how folks can apply for these jobs (we reimburse for lifeguard certification training!). For more information or to apply, click here.

Matty May 2, 2022 (9:35 am)

June 18th for Colman Pool? That thing sits all year with a on-site caretaker to only be open for ~6 weeks. What a waste. Perhaps it is time to reinvest in Colman Pool? Why not look to add more things to do there — make it a broader year-round destination? Year round (covered in winter) swimming? A warm swim lesson pool? A summer splash park? A low-fee gym? Meeting space for weddings and classes? There is plenty of space in the pool area for all of this and more. Pools can succeed if given the right mix of characteristics!

Anne May 2, 2022 (11:15 am)

No- not everything has to change. Kept Coleman as it is.
sbone May 2, 2022 (2:58 pm)

Matty, totally agree, as a neighbor and a swimmer…what a wasted opportunity!
- Matty May 2, 2022 (3:53 pm)
  
  Hear hear! Yes, Colman is wonderful, unique, and iconic — but for 6 weeks per summer? Just not enough…
Swimmer May 2, 2022 (8:33 pm)

Three was a group of people several years ago trying to get Colman to stay open year round. Obviously it didn’t work. I agree, it’s such a great pool and 6 weeks is not enough time to enjoy it. We already don’t have a lot of fabulous swimming pool options around here. Southwest has limited hours, Evergreen pool is falling apart, KCAC is amazing but it’s a trek to get there, the YMCA pool is small and also has very limited lap swim times. It would be great if Colman could be open from mid-may until the end of October!

Looking for life guards May 2, 2022 (10:09 pm)

Seattle Parks and Rec lost 80% of pool staff during pandemic when facilities closed. They have to hire a lot of new staff and swim teachers to be open longer hours. So know of someone who has current lifeguard certification looking for summer job?

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