Public pools are on track to open in May and June, with lifeguard hiring well underway

Summer is around the bend, and some of Austin’s pools are opening soon. The 2024 summer swim season will be underway when 29 pools open from mid-May through June 10. The opening schedule is:

• May 18 openings – Mabel Davis and Walnut Creek
• May 31 openings – Balcones, Dick Nichols, Dove Springs and Rosewood
• June 3 openings – Brentwood, Canyon Vista, Dittmar, Dottie Jordan, Givens, Govalle, Martin, Montopolis, Murchison, Patterson, Ramsey, Reed, Shipe and Westenfield
• June 10 openings – Civitan, Gillis, Kennemer, Metz, Parque Zaragoza, Stacy Wading and West Austin

Splash pads opened May 1, and the Pease Park splash pad is expected to open May 10. The city’s year-round pools­ are Bartholomew, Barton Springs, Deep Eddy, Springwoods and Stacy. Additional pool information is available at AustinTexas.gov/Pools.

The openings hinge on lifeguard recruitment, and the Aquatic Division’s lifeguard hiring efforts resulted in Northwest and Garrison pools opening fully staffed on April 29. So far, 470 lifeguards are hired and ready to work, up from 333 this time last year. The Austin Parks and Recreation Department says May is a critical recruitment month to reach the goal of hiring 850 lifeguards for summer 2024. The next Austin Lifeguard Hiring Event will be 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 17, at the Aquatic Office, 2818 San Gabriel St. Austin residents can apply at the event or online anytime at LifeguardAustin.com.

Lifeguards must be at least age 15, and the lifeguard benefits package includes a starting $20.80/hour pay rate, free training, a $400 stipend after 80 hours of work, free uniforms, a flexible work schedule, a free bus pass and paid leave.