Cool off: St. Pete dives into summer programming

Neighborhood pools across St. Pete have opened for the summer, providing much-needed respite from soaring summer temperatures. 

May 31 marked the start of seasonal operations for city-owned pools throughout the area, and summer hours begin Friday. Opening hours will be 1-4 p.m. Monday through Friday with varied hours for nights and weekends. A summer schedule begins Friday.

Facilities are open to residents of all ages and abilities. All are ADA accessible and feature shaded picnic areas for guests to enjoy a break from the sun. Most pools have special features such as wading pools, flume slides, splash pads and diving boards, and many host specialized social events throughout the summer such as the Flick & Splash series, a  “dive-in” movie event showcasing family-friendly films for patrons while they enjoy the water. The 2025 series debuts with The Garfield Movie at Shore Acres Pool June 27. 

While the pools most often draw people looking to cool off from the summer heat, they also attract world-class athletes. North Shore Aquatic Complex has hosted dozens of Olympians including 23-time gold medal winner Michael Phelps.

Earlier this year, world-record holders Katie Ledecky and Bobby Finke competed at the facility, choosing a tournament at North Shore at the first competition they’d entered since the Paris Olympics. 

Jennie Hall Pool holds a prominent place in St. Pete history as the first public pool open to Black residents. Though segregation was deemed illegal in 1954, St. Pete pools refused to integrate. In response Jeanie Hall, a white woman who had moved to the area from the North, donated $25,000 of her personal funds to build a swimming pool for the African American community. City Council provided an additional $35,000 for construction. Since the opening of Jennie Hall, over 10,000 people have learned to swim in its pool

Admission to most community pools is $1 for kids ages 3-12 and $2 for 13 and older. North Shore Aquatic Complex (home to Olympic training facilities) charges $4.50 for ages 3-12 and $4.50 for kids 13 and older. Swimmers can enjoy $1 Splash Day entrance fees July 4. 

For all community pool locations, hours and other information visit this page.

For more information on the Flick & Splash movie series event, visit the St. Pete Parks and Recreation calendar. 

The City offers swim lessons for adults and children ages 6 months and up.

More summer programs from the City of St. Petersburg:

Summer Reading: Free summer reading program for all ages hosted by St. Pete libraries. For more details visit https://splibraries.org/

Learn to Swim: Swim lessons for adults and children ages 6 months and up. Financial assistance is available for qualifying families. For more information visit https://cms3.revize.com/revize/stpetersburgparks/programs___events/aquatics/swim_lessons.php   

Safe Summer Fridays: Friday night social activities include open gym, movie night, and games for kids ages 12-16 aimed at violence prevention, especially during summer months. For more information, visit https://www.stpete.org/government/initiatives___programs/mayors_safe_summer.php

Nutritious Meals: Free breakfast and/or lunches available to children ages 18 and younger at various locations throughout the city. For locations, hours, and other details visit https://www.stpeteparksrec.org/programs___events/summer_food/index.php