JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — After condemnation over community pools closed last year, the city of Jacksonville will open 26 community pools for Memorial Day weekend.
In 2023, nearly half of the city's public pools were closed, primarily due to staffing issues and maintenance problems.
There have been 72 lifeguards hired and there are 70 more applicants in training. Pay is $15 an hour, according to the city. There have been 292 lifeguards hired compared to 220 in 2023.
Registration is also open for the Learn-to-Swim Program held by the Parks and Recreation Department.
“I’m very happy to announce that more pools will be open this summer and that more lifeguards will be on the job,” Mayor Donna Deegan said in a press release. “This is due to the hard work of our parks staff, who have spent much of the last year on pool repairs and recruiting new employees. We invite everyone to enjoy the summer at their neighborhood pool!”
The city approved $1 million in the Capital Improvement Plan for pool maintenance, $250,000 for a lifeguard marketing campaign, and a salary increase out of the $25 million in task force funding.
Memorial Day Weekend Outdoor Pool Hours
- Saturday, May 25: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Sunday, May 26: 2-6 p.m.
- Monday, May 27: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
Pre-Season Outdoor Pool Hours (June 1-2)
- Saturday: 11:00 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Sunday: 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Regular Season Outdoor Pool Hours (June 8-Aug. 4)
- Monday to Friday: 1–7 p.m.
- Saturday: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Sunday: 2-6 p.m.
Pools set to open May 25.
- Andrew Jackson High School – 128 W. 30th St.
- Baldwin Middle/High School – 345 Chestnut St. N.
- Cecil Aquatic Center – 13611 Normandy Blvd.
- Charles Clark Pool - 8739 Sibbald Rd.
- Emmett Reed Park – 1093 W. 6th St.
- Eugene Butler Pool - 900 Acorn St.
- Fletcher High School – 700 Seagate Ave.
- Golfair Park Pool (C.T. Brown) - 4415 Moncrief Rd.
- Grand/ Johnnie Walker Park – 2740 Division St.
- Harts Rd/ Eartha Napolean Park – 11597 Harts Rd.
- Highlands Middle School – 10913 Pine Estates Rd.
- Julius Guinyard Park – 1358 Jefferson St.
- Lakeshore Middle School – 2519 Bayview Rd.
- Mandarin High School – 4831 Greenland Rd.
- Oceanway Park – 12215 Sago Ave.
- Paxon High School- 3413 W. 5th St.
- Pine Forest – 2335 Gattis Lane
- Ribault High School – 5820 Van Gundy St.
- Riverside High School – 1200 S. McDuff Ave.
- Robert Kennedy Pool – 1139 Ionia St.
- Samuel Wolfson High School- 7000 Powers Ave.
- Sandalwood High School – 2750 John Prom Blvd.
- Terry Parker High School – 7301 Parker School Rd.
- Thomas Jefferson Park – 390 N. Jackson Ave.
- Westside High School – 5530 Firestone Rd.
- Woodland Acres/ Warrington Park – 8200 Kona Ave.
Additional three pools scheduled to open by June 29:
- Ft Caroline Pool – 4131 Ferber Rd.
- Mallison Park Pool- 3133 Lenox Ave.
- San Souci Pool (Adolph Wurn Park) - 2115 Dean Rd.