Wading in water

Spots around town offer ways to cool down

K.M. Cannon/ViewThe Centennial Hills Community Center YMCA offers free use of its pools for members, while nonmembers pay $4 each per day. K.M. Cannon/ViewOne-year-old Noah Bowen enjoys a water feature at Centennial Hills Community Center YMCA, 6601 N. Buffalo Drive. The facility has one pool for adults and one for tots. K.M. Cannon/ViewA child dives into the water at the Centennial Hills Community Center YMCA. About a dozen lifeguards keep watch over the facility?s two pools. Advertisement

Can you hear it?

It's the "Jaws" theme ushering in the dog days of summer to the desert.

Villains of heat and cinema aside, it's time to hit the water.

SPLISH SPLASH

For those without a backyard pool, the Centennial Hills area has several watery retreats to quench the thirst to cool off.

Soaking and shrieking, 4-year-old Samantha Ellers dodged shooting water and leaped onto stone frogs spewing water one recent afternoon at Centennial Hills Park, 7101 N. Buffalo Drive.

Samantha, her younger brother Cayden and a gaggle of kids pranced around the splash pad, one of two at the 120-acre park, under the shade of giant daisy-shaped structures.

"This place makes me happy just being here," said her mother, Dawn Ellers, who watched the action with a folded beach towel in her arms.

"We try to come here a few times a week."

The splash pads are two of 16 the city of Las Vegas has installed around the valley. The water feature has become a popular attraction since the city started installing them in parks about five years ago, said Kelly Schwarz, a representative of the city's Department of Leisure Services.

The water parks are free and open to the public.

Park hours vary, Schwarz said, but the splash pads are open to visitors starting about 7 a.m.

Other places to splash away in the northwest include:

* Estelle Neal Park, Tropical Parkway and Serene Drive.

* Gilcrease Brothers Park, 10001 Gilcrease Ave.

* Patriot Park, 4050 Thom Blvd.

* Polly Gonzalez Memorial Park, El Campo Grande and Bradley Road.

* Sunny Springs Park, 7620 Golden Talon Ave.

* Teton Trails Park, 7850 Bradley Road.

TAKE A DIP

Next to Centennial Hills Park, the the Centennial Hills Community Center YMCA, 6601 N. Buffalo Drive, has about 12 sets of eyes on lifeguard duty at its two pools.

Jeff Treslley, YMCA of Southern Nevada vice president of operations, said visitors are welcome to zoom down the water park slides, wade in the zero-depth pool with a tiny tot swimmer or take a plunge in the Olympic-sized pool.

"Come cool off with us," he said.

Facilities are free for members. The daily cost for nonmembers is $4 per person.

For those considering a YMCA membership, the organization is offering a Sizzlin' Summer pass deal. In addition to access to the pools and water parks, the pass comes with other YMCA member benefits, including access to wellness centers and numerous classes.

The cost is $99 for an individual or $199 for a family.

Open swim is from noon to 5 p.m. daily.

For more information, visit lasvegasymca.org or call 478-9622.

The YMCA offers swim lessons at all three of its valley locations throughout the summer.

Seniors with an active adult membership in the Centennial Hills Active Adults Center are welcome to use city of Las Vegas outdoor pools free from 1 to 3 p.m. weekdays. Participants should check in with the staff at the center, 6601 N. Buffalo Drive, to receive a pool pass.

For more information, call 229-1702.

Contact Centennial and Southeast View reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@viewnews.com or 477-3839.