(photo taken at EC Hughes wading pool today just before it opened at noon)
As promised by the Parks Department, E.C. Hughes wading pool (29th/Holden; map) opened today – that’s the last of the West Seattle wading pools to open this year, on a staggered schedule because of federally mandated drain-safety work. (The department says Highland Park will not open this year at all, one of more than a dozen wading pools citywide staying closed.) Delridge, Hiawatha and Lincoln Park wading pools already are open; their respective hours are listed here. If you’re too big for a wading pool, your other municipal swimming options are Southwest Pool (indoors) and Colman Pool (outdoors) – several private facilities offer pools to their members, such as the West Seattle Family YMCA (WSB sponsor). Humans aren’t the only ones who can get some relief in the water – Trileigh sends this photo with a reminder to have water out for the birds:

She notes:

… our little avian friends have a tough time in this hot weather! If folks have a birdbath, please keep water in it — it helps the little guys to have cool water to drink and splash in. Yesterday there were chickadees in and out of my birdbath all day long.

Even if you don’t have a birdbath, you can put out a pie plate or other broad container with water for them. The squirrels will appreciate it too. We all need to help each other out during this heat wave!

(added) Trileigh also notes that “birdbaths (formal or informal) should be pretty shallow and not slippery, so that the birds can stand and drink or bathe. You can always put a rock in it if it’s made of something slippery, like glazed ceramic for instance.” We’re working on yet more heat-beating info, including West Seattle places where you’ll find A/C – we were just over at Stor-More (WSB sponsors) and if you have occasion to drop by and chat with them about storage/mail services, they have a very nicely air-conditioned lobby (SW Yancy just east of Avalon Way) – more suggestions welcome!