Phoenix presents summer camp, pools and swim‑lesson plans; staffing limits some pool openings

Parks Department staff detailed the city’s 2025 summer programs on Thursday, including Phoenix Plays summer camps and the aquatics season, and told the Parks Board that staffing limits will continue to shape how many pools can open and for how long.

Deputy Parks and Recreation Director Danielle Pulveroma said Phoenix Plays summer camps are offered at 26 locations, serve children roughly ages 6–12, run approximately 8–10 weeks (May–July) and provide program hours from about 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sites vary in capacity but commonly accommodate 40–50 children; staff said the department holds a 1:15 staff‑to‑participant ratio at most sites. The program includes daily meals delivered through partnerships with school districts and community food programs, and registration opened March 20 for 2025.

“Each year, the Parks and Recreation Department offers safe and affordable summer programs for youth and families,” Pulveroma said. The department emphasized a range of pricing and registration options — from free slots to weekly options up to $80 — and said it introduced weekly registration in response to parent survey feedback.

On aquatics, Assistant Director Brandy Barrett and Aquatics Recreation Coordinator Regina Iverson said the city manages a 29‑pool inventory. For 2025 the department plans to open 20 pools (15 opening all summer and four opening for a single month in June or July) and keep eight pools open for weekend hours in August through Labor Day. The pool season runs Memorial Day weekend through July 27, with a limited August weekend schedule. Swim lessons will be offered at all open pools; staff said over 12,700 people will have the opportunity to take lessons and the city will offer discounted lessons (as low as $3 under partner programs).

Staff said the department has increased recruitment and training after pandemic staffing losses and now employs more than 400 aquatics staff, including certified instructors and new assistant‑manager training programs. The department continues to face staffing constraints that determine pool rotations and limited extended‑season openings. To expand access, staff highlighted partnerships: the Brewers and SRP supported the Cool Kids program (free admission for those 17 and younger), and Ability360 will operate Pioneer Pool for adaptive programming June–August.

Board members praised the breadth of services and asked staff to explore longer‑term investments in water recreation as an adaptation to extreme heat. Board Member Porter urged the department to consider the parks master plan process as an opportunity to look for ways to expand water recreation and open‑hours beyond the traditional summer season.