Tietze Park is one of the cheapest, most accessible places to go swimming in our neighborhood. Plus, it is one of eight city parks that has free WiFi. Photos by Benjamin Hager.
When the kinked-up garden hose and blue-plastic kiddie pool from the discount store fail this summer, go to the pool. Our neighborhood has several options for dipping one’s toes in the water, from public pools and spray parks to private clubs and restaurants. You can always make friends with someone who has a backyard pool, or start digging one out in the backyard, but these cool neighborhood spots have the potential to make a splash in your summer schedule.
Tietze Park
Tietze Park
6115 Llano at Skillman, 214.670.1380
Hours: 1 p.m.-8 p.m., Thursday-Monday
Cost: $2 for adults and $1 for kids 11 and younger
Take a dip: Swimming lessons are available for kids of all ages.
6818 Fisher at Trammel, 214.670.7115
Hours: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily through Sept. 5
Cost: free
Take a dip: This is a spray park, not a pool. But it’s a nice place for kids to cool off, and there’s no rule against grown-ups enjoying the park, too.
7301 Gaston near Garland, 214.328.3849
Hours: 5:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 5:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
Cost: Memberships range from $49 a month for an individual to $70 for a family, and discounted memberships are available for seniors and teens.
Take a dip: The Y has a big, sunny outdoor pool, but memberships also include use of the gym and free group fitness classes.
10110 Shoreview near Ferndale, 214.343.9061
Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday and Saturday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday; noon-9 p.m. Sunday
Cost: Priceless. We once witnessed a KC pool membership go for $12,000 at a live auction.
Take a dip: There is a three- or four-year wait to get a membership at the KC pool. If you don’t have a membership, make friends with someone who does. Members are allowed to bring up to six guests who can pay $5 to swim.
7530 E. Grand at Garland, 214.327.3866
Hours: 3 p.m.-2 a.m. Tuesday-Friday; 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Saturday-Sunday; closed Monday
Cost: $5 for swimming and volleyball
Take a dip: Leave the kids at home. This is a bar. Expect girls taking shots in teeny bikinis and serious ballers doing battle on the three sand courts.
3619 Greenville at Martel, 214.821.6431
Hours: 11 a.m.- 2 a.m. daily
Cost: free for customers
Take a dip: J. Pepe’s is a Tex-Mex restaurant, so it’s slightly kid-friendly at certain times. Try going early on weekdays. At night and on the weekends, expect DJs, pool volleyball and a party-time atmosphere.
8500 Arturo near Lakeland, 214.327.9563, 3108.
Hours: noon-midnight Monday-Friday and Sunday; noon-1 a.m. Saturday
Cost: $7
Take a dip: Call it “the foe”, the eagle pool, the redneck country club. The Fraternal Order of Eagles pool is an East Dallas summertime tradition. It’s family friendly. The drinks are cheap. And sometimes, there are $1.75 hotdogs for sale inside.
