HOUSTON — With hot, sticky feels-like temperatures already hovering near triple digits in Houston, a dip in a nice cool swimming pool sounds tempting.
Now that school is out for the summer, many families hope to head to a City of Houston public pool in their neighborhood.
The Houston Parks and Recreation Department announced Tuesday that 18 of the city's 38 pools are now open on alternating days.
HPARD says more pools will open as lifeguards are hired and trained.
"Safety is critically important as we experience a nationwide shortage in lifeguards," Houston City Councilmember Tiffany Thomas told us.
City of Houston pool locations and hours
These pools are open Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Agnes Moffit – 10645 Hammerly Blvd.
- Cloverland - 3801 Hickok Lane
- Emancipation – 3018 Emancipation Ave.
- Lincoln - 979 Grenshaw St.
- Love – 1000 West 12th St.
- North Wayside - 9551 North Wayside Dr.
- Sharpstown - 6855-A Harbor Town Dr.
- Westbury – 10605 Mullins Dr.
- Wilson Memorial – 100 Gilpin St.
These pools are open Wednesdays and Fridays from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Alief - 11903 Bellaire Blvd. 77072
- Greenwood– 602 Beresford St. 77015
- MacGregor– 5225 Calhoun Rd. 77021
- Mason– 541 South 75th St. 77023
- Schwartz– 8203 Vogue Ln. 77055
- Stude– 1031 Stude St. 77007
- Sunnyside - 3502 Bellfort St. 77051
- TC Jester - 4205 T.C. Jester Blvd. 77018
- Townwood - 3402 Simsbrook Dr. 77045
All pools are closed on Mondays.
Some locations offer swimming lessons and adult fitness classes.
Houston offering $500 bonus to lifeguards who work through the summer
A $250 bonus will be paid the first two weeks of being hired. The rest of the bonus will be paid the last two weeks of the summer season.
Lifeguards are paid $16 an hour. The head lifeguard gets $18 an hour and aquatic center supervisors make $20 an hour.
Requirements to be a COH lifeguard
- 16 or older before May 31
- Must pass standard Lifeguard Swim Evaluation
- Must pass American Red Cross Lifeguard Training offered by HPARD
- Must pass a physical exam, drug test and criminal background test
- Must have reliable transportation
- Apply online at www.houstontx.gov/jobs
- For more information, visit www.houstonparks.org
