The Springfield-Greene County Park Board opens two outdoor swimming pools for the season Tuesday, July 14.
Fassnight Pool in Fassnight Park, 1300 S. Campbell Ave., and McGee-McGregor Wading Pool in Phelps Grove Park, 950 E. Bennett, are open following a regular weekly schedule starting July 14.
In compliance with the City of Springfield’s current COVID-19 orders, pool capacity is limited. Once the pool reaches capacity, additional guests will only be accepted as one in, one out. Guests who leave the pool may have to wait in line to reenter.
Swimmers and pool guests are also advised to keep a minimum six-foot distance from others on the pool deck, make sure they wash their hands before and after visiting, avoid touching their faces, cover any coughs or sneezes, and please stay home if they are feeling any symptoms of illness.
Hours at Fassnight Pool:
- 1-6:30 p.m., Tuesdays through Sundays, through Sunday, Aug. 16
- Closed Mondays for maintenance
- Weekends only Aug. 22-23, Aug. 29-30, and Sept, 5-7
Admission to Fassnight is $4/adult (ages 18-59), $3/Youth (ages 3-17) and Senior (ages 60 and up). Kids 2 and under are free with a paid adult. The Splash & Sizzle program, offering $1 admission or free with a canned food donation, will take place all day each Sunday, 1-6:30 p.m., benefiting Ozarks Food Harvest. At this time, pool passes and discount coupons are not available. Discount coupons left over from previous years, however, will be honored.
Hours at McGee-McGregor Wading Pool:
- 10 a.m.-Noon and 3-6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays,
- 3-6 p.m. Sundays, through Sunday, Aug. 16
- Closed Mondays for maintenance.
Admission at McGee-McGregor is free, but the pool is limited to children age 6 and under, with a parent or guardian age 16 or older, wearing a swimsuit.
Pool rentals, private parties, birthday parties, swim lessons and swim team are currently unavailable at outdoor pools.
“Our budget was already tight, and COVID made it a challenge get our pools open and staffed, but the Park Board was always committed to opening at least one outdoor pool this summer” said Bob Belote, Director of Parks. “It made sense for that pool to be Fassnight, our largest and most centrally located pool. But the cost of operating McGee-McGregor Wading Pool is minimal, compared to other locations, so we’ve added that pool to give parents with small children a quieter place to swim, just a few blocks away.”
Swimmers may also access indoor pools at outdoor admission prices daily at Chesterfield and Doling Family Center. The current indoor All Ages Open Swim schedule is Monday-Friday, 1-8 p.m.; Saturday, Noon-7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Noon-5 p.m. A complete schedule for all pools is at ParkBoard.org/Aquatics
The Jordan Valley Park Ozark Stream and Fountains are also open, providing a free place splash in the water and cool off. The Ozarks Stream runs continuously throughout the day. The fountain show takes place every hour, on the hours, 10 a.m.- 9 p.m., for about 30 minutes. The fountains also run continuously 11 a.m. through 1:30 p.m. The schedule is subject to change due to fountain maintenance, park rentals or community events. Admission to Jordan Valley Park is free, and parking is available at Jordan Valley Ice Park, 635 E Trafficway.
Outdoor swimming pools normally open Memorial Day weekend, but opening was postponed this year due to COVID-related delays, including the interruption of lifeguard training, certification and hiring. Due to limited lifeguard availability as well as operation costs, the Park Board will not open Grant Beach, Meador, Silver Springs or Westport outdoor pools this summer.
For more information and pool schedules, visit ParkBoard.org/Aquatics or contact Chesterfield Family Center at 417-891-1616 or Doling Family Center at 417-837-5900.
All visitors to any park, facility or trail are asked to keep a minimum six-foot distance from others, make sure they wash their hands frequently, avoid touching their faces, cover any coughs or sneezes, and please stay home if they are feeling any symptoms of illness. Bring your own water bottle. Face coverings may be required. For more information on COVID-19 prevention in Parks, visit ParkBoard.org/Coronavirus.