Splash into summer

Ralph fountain/VIEWDivers take the leap on opening day at the Carlos L. Martinez and Darrio J. Hall Family Pool at Freedom Park, 889 N. Pecos Road, on May 29. The facility features swimming and activity pool space. Ralph fountain/VIEWLesli Ibarra zips down the water slide at the Carlos L. Martinez and Darrio J. Hall Family Pool at Freedom Park on May 29. Ralph fountain/VIEWThe Carlos L. Martinez and Darrio J. Hall Family Pool at Freedom Park features interactive spray play toys. Advertisement

Break out the swimsuits. Summer has arrived. The pools have opened and the water is fine. Come on in.

The city of Las Vegas has a variety of pools for both families and individuals to frequent as the heat soars in to the triple digits.

According to aquatics coordinator Tammy Hawkins, all the pools have something for everyone.

The facilities -- Baker Pool, Garside Pool, Municipal Pool, Doolittle Pool and the Carlos L. Martinez and Darrio J. Hall Family Pool at Freedom Park -- each feature a different array of amenities, according to Hawkins.

"We really do have something that will entertain everyone from young kids to teens to families," she said.

The pools opened Memorial Day weekend to what Hawkins described as large crowds.

Both Doolittle and the Freedom Park facilities are activity pools, meaning the amenities they feature are interactive.

These pools feature zero-depth entries, which is an entry that slopes into the water.

"It's very beach-like," Hawkins said.

Local resident Cole Trent said he brings his young daughter Madeline to the pool weekly.

"It's a fun family outing," he said. "We like the fun little features they have included."

The activity pools also feature spouting waterfalls, diving boards, water slides, tipping buckets and other play features.

Water slides are open to anyone who can pass a 25-yard freestyle swim test.

Activity pools have seven on-duty lifeguards at all times.

The city's Olympic-size facility, the Municipal Pool, features four.

"I'd say this is the pool that is unused for laps and training and things like that," Hawkins said of Municipal Pool.

The Garside and Baker Pools are recreational facilities, featuring diving boards and six lanes for laps or races.

"If you're looking to play around and use the diving boards this is a great facility," Hawkins said. "If you just want to swim, it's also a great facility. Typically, the activity pools are geared more toward younger kids and teens. We see a lot of adults without children show an interest in our recreational facilities."

Admission to each pool ranges from $1 to $2. Hours vary by location.

For more information, visit www.lasvegasparksandrec.com.

City of Las Vegas pools aren't the only venues for summer splashing. The Bill & Lillie Heinrich YMCA's outdoor water park is free to members and $4 per day for nonmembers. The park also offers a Sizzlin' Summer Pass good all season for $99 for individuals or $199 for a family.

The park features two outdoor pools, a flume slide and splash play zones. Coolers and picnics are welcome, but glass containers and alcohol are prohibited.

For more information, visit www.lasvegasymca.org or call 877-9622.

Contact North Las Vegas and Downtown View reporter Amanda Llewellyn at allewellyn@viewnews.com or 380-4535.