10 great public pools for summer fun around metro Phoenix

From the city parks of Phoenix and the sunbaked foothills of north Scottsdale to the suburban streets of Chandler, locales throughout the Valley share a common summertime obsession: the public swimming pool.

There are more than 70 public pools, splash pads and aquatic centers across greater Phoenix, and they’re open to anyone with a few bucks and a towel (and in a few cases, an ID showing local residency). For some, these municipal watering holes are affordable spots to bring the family for a day of fun. For others, they offer an opportunity to learn a new — and potentially life-saving — sport or partake in a low-impact, full-body workout. But for everyone, public pools are great places to enjoy the outdoors during summer’s scorching heat.

And with temperatures already topping 110 degrees this year, being able to cool off is vital.

“I think people don’t realize during the winter how important our pools are, but come summer, they’re like, ‘What can I do to get out of the house?’” says Adam Waltz, spokesperson for Phoenix’s Parks and Recreation Department. “Being indoors all day is rough, and kids need to get their energy out. So having a respite that’s affordable — and free at a lot of locations — for kids is an incredible asset to the community.”

Phoenix alone has opened 18 pools this summer. These range from large regional pools with multiple water features, zero-depth entries, water slides and a slew of amenities, to smaller neighborhood pools with not much more than a diving board and some lounge chairs. And as the Valley continues to grow, large aquatic centers also have popped up in other cities, featuring everything from water slides, lazy rivers, wave pools and multilane competition pools to expansive locker rooms, fitness centers and even concessions.

“It’s an experience that gets you out of your home,” says Evelyn McNiell, community services manager for Tempe Parks and Recreation. “You can enjoy all the amenities. Most people don’t have a 17-foot slide in their backyard. And if they do, I’m going to their house.”

Of course, public pools aren’t just for splashing in the water. They all offer swimming lessons for everyone from infants to seniors — starting as low as $15 for the entire season, depending on the location. Lifeguard training programs, competition swim leagues and aquatic exercise classes also are offered. Of course, these programs are incredibly popular and fill up quickly, so check with your local pool now for availability throughout the summer.

“A pool, just like a library, is something that’s incredibly valuable for a community,” says Mark Foote, aquatics manager for Avondale, which debuted its Avondale Aquatic Center in May. “Yes, per capita in the Valley, more people have pools than do not have pools. But for some families, that’s just not an option. So to have a place where they can come and cool down and bring the entire family for less than 20 bucks is huge. Plus, swimming is a lifelong skill that can save your life.”

So if you’re ready to dive into summer fun, head to your local public pool where you can relax and beat the heat. Not sure where to go? We’ve rounded up some of the Valley’s best community swimming destinations. For a complete list of public pools near you, check out your city’s Parks and Recreation website.

Avondale Aquatic Center

11275 Civic Center Drive, Avondale

It’s been two years since city officials broke ground on Avondale’s first community pool, but the wait was worth it. On Memorial Day weekend, the Valley’s newest water park opened. Designed by Gabor Lorant Architects, the same firm that designed Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center in Chandler, this massive state-of-the-art facility offers a plethora of amenities for all ages.

The littlest family members will enjoy the zero-depth-entry kiddie play pool, complete with a play structure with slides, water sprays and a tumble bucket, while older kids and kids at heart will thrill to a trio of 26-foot-tall slides — two looping tube slides and one rapid plunge drop slide. A 350-foot lazy river winds between the two areas and connects to a water walk, while a 10-lane competition pool with two diving boards dominates the north side of the complex. And the amenities don’t stop when you’re on dry land. There are expansive locker and shower rooms, two outdoor snack areas as well as food truck bays, and more than 13,000 square feet of shaded decking with dozens of lounge chairs. Currently, the center is open only to Avondale residents (and their guests), who must show proof of residency for entrance.
Open swim hours: Monday, Wednesday 12:30 to 5 p.m. and 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday 12:30 to 5 p.m.; Friday 12:30 to 9 p.m.; Saturday 12:30 to 7 p.m.
Adult lap swim hours: Weekdays 5:30-7:30 a.m.; weekends 7-9 a.m.
Fee: $3 residents; $5 non-resident guests

Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center

5901 S. Hillcrest Drive, Chandler

Like its Avondale counterpart, this award-winning sports complex — it was named Outstanding Facility by Arizona Parks and Recreation in 2009 — has all the top amenities. Located adjacent to Basha High School, it features a competition pool with diving boards, a zero-depth-entry pool, a 350-foot-long lazy river, two slides, a spray pad and a 725-gallon tumble bucket. It also offers extensive programs, including year-round swim lessons, a swim team, lifeguard training and water safety courses, and aquatic fitness classes. But what really makes it stand out is the fact that it’s been designated a Certified Autism Center by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards, ensuring that people of all abilities have a safe and welcoming experience. New this summer is a sensory guide, provided by IBCCE, that will help staff members understand how different elements of the facility can affect a person with sensory-processing sensitivities.
Public swim hours (through July 16): Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.; Friday-Sunday noon to 6 p.m.
Lap swim hours: Monday through Thursday 7 to 9 p.m.
Fee: $2.25 adults; $1.25 seniors ages 55 and older; $1 children ages 2-17

It may not be the fanciest in the Valley, but this pool complex that’s attached to Rhodes Junior High offers something no other pool does: a FlowRider. Open to both kids and adults, the surfing simulator adds some high-energy fun to an aquatic outing. If extreme sports aren’t your thing, there’s still plenty to do here. The pool features eight competitive lap lanes, a zero-depth-entry play zone and a diving well with two 1-meter diving boards and one 3-meter diving board, and a splash pad and tumble buckets will keep toddlers and little ones entertained for hours. Set up on the shaded bleachers or bring your own lounge chair, and concession facilities are available onsite. Swimming and diving lessons and water exercise classes are offered, and the facility also hosts swim, dive and artistic swim teams.
Public swim hours: Monday through Thursday 1 to 6 p.m.; Friday 1 to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.
FlowRider hours: Monday through Thursday 1 to 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 1 to 5 p.m.
Fee: $4 adults, $2 kids and seniors