The Athens-Clarke County Government has announced that all four of their public pools will open for the season starting Saturday, May 25. For those looking to beat the Memorial Day weekend heat, pools will be welcoming swimmers from 1:00 – 5:30 p.m., according to an official advisory. Although the Bishop Park pool remains closed for renovations, other local favorites such as Heard Park, Lay Park, and Memorial Park are set to open their gates.

With the season stretching until July 28, Tuesday through Friday and Sunday visits to the pools can be planned from 1:00 – 5:30 p.m., and an extended hour begins on Saturday, opening from noon. The ACCGov Leisure Services Department reminds enthusiasts that all pools and splash pads take a break on Mondays for maintenance, providing a much-needed rest for the recreational water facilities.

Children with their families looking to make a splash can take note that the Walker Park Splash Pad is set for an earlier debut on May 11 and will be accessible on weekends only until May 19, as per ACCGov's announcement. The splash pad will reportedly slide into its regular seasonal hours starting May 25 through July 28, and it's ready to chill weekends all the way to September 2, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Hitting the same waves, the Rocksprings Park Splash Pad is set to join the summer fun, opening on May 25. Admission to all this cool fun comes at a bargain - only $1 per person, cash only. For dedicated swimmers and families, passes are up for grabs, individual pool passes ringing up at $20 and Family of Four passes doubling the splashing fun at $40. As outlined by the department's notice, these pool passes are your ticket to all the public pools and the splash pads, with both cash and check accepted as payment forms.

For more details and to plan your sun-soaked aqua adventures, the Aquatics Office can be reached at 706-613-3589. It's time to get those swimsuits ready for a season of cool dips and joyful memories in Athens-Clarke County's finest aquatic offerings.