The City of Syracuse Department of Parks & Recreation announced it will open outdoor pools on a rolling basis beginning with Schiller Park Pool on Tuesday, June 18. All pools are scheduled to be open by the end of June and will remain open through mid-August, weather permitting.
Pool opening dates for the summer are:
- Tuesday, June 18: Schiller Park Pool
- Wednesday, June 19: Kirk Park Pool
- Thursday, June 20: Upper Onondaga Park Pool
- Friday, June 21: Thornden Park Pool
- Sunday, June 23: Lincoln Park Pool
- Monday, June 24: McKinley Park Pool
- Tuesday, June 25: Burnet Park Pool
- Sunday, June 30: Wilson Park Pool
The pools will operate Monday - Saturday, 12 to 6 p.m. and Sundays, 1 to 6 p.m. However, Monday – Friday hours, between Tuesday, June 18 and Tuesday, June 25, for open pools, will operate from 3 to 6 p.m. as the Syracuse City School District school year comes to a close. All pool hours are subject to change throughout the summer based on staffing and pool needs/requirements.
Admission to open swim is free of charge for everyone. The pools will operate on a first-come, first-serve system when pool capacities are reached.
Children under the minimum height requirement must be with a parent or responsible adult over 18 years old. A maximum of three children per adult are allowed. The accompanying adult must be always in the water within an arms-reach of children, even when a child is wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved flotation device. A deep-water swim test must be taken and passed upon each entry. To view the full list of pool rules and acceptable swimwear visit https://syr.gov/poolrules.
Lifeguard Screenings & Trainings
The Parks department will run one lifeguard training class this summer. Training fees will be waived for city of Syracuse residents who fulfill a summer season of employment working a minimum of 20 hours per week. To check eligibility and learn more visit https://syr.gov/becomealifeguard.
Upcoming lifeguard training dates:
- Session I: Monday – Friday, July 1 - July 12, 8:30 a.m. to Noon. Pretests are at Valley Pool, 4-4:30 p.m. until June 17.
Lap Swimming
A designated lap lane is available, free of charge, at all outdoor pools during open swim hours. Morning lap swim will be offered at Burnet, Schiller and Thornden pools, beginning Monday, July 1, from 6:30 to 8:45 a.m. for $3 per session.
Swim Lessons
Sessions consist of 30-minute morning classes that meet Monday - Friday for two weeks at Burnet, Schiller, Schiller and Thornden pools. Registration will open on https://Syracuse.recdesk.com for session I on Thursday, June 27 at 4 p.m. for city residents and Friday, June 28 at 4 p.m. for nonresidents.
- Session I: Monday – Friday, July 1 – July 12
- Session II: Monday – Friday, July 15 – July 26
- Session III: Monday – Friday, July 29 – Aug. 9
Aquathon Events
Youth between the ages of 3-15 can sign up to take part in five Aquathon events. Events are free of charge. The Aquathon events combine swimming and running into a fun, untimed sporting event at five parks located throughout the city of Syracuse. Events take place on Sundays and free training sessions are available. Learn more and register at https://syracuse.recdesk.com.
Aquathon dates:
- Sunday, July 7: Schiller Park
- Sunday, July 14: Kirk Park
- Sunday, July 21: Upper Onondaga Park
- Sunday, July 28: Burnet Park
- Sunday, August 4: Thornden Park
For pool closings and cancellations:
- Visit the Syracuse.recdesk.com cancellation page.
- Call the dedicated pool line message at 315-748-8908. The line is not answered or monitored.
For more information, email blopes@syr.gov or jayalya@syr.gov