Parks staff report strong summer program site visits but cite pool construction delays and staffing limits on extended hours

Department of Parks and Youth Services staff told the City Council Parks, Education, Workforce and Health Committee that summer youth programs show good attendance and quality during site visits, but that lifeguard staffing and construction delays have affected pool and splash-pad availability.

Director Joe and program staff said most active summer programs have been meeting attendance and quality expectations based on site visits, and that a formal report will be compiled after programs finish and partners submit final paperwork. “Most of what I have to share comes from those site visits…we're seeing that they have good attendance numbers,” a department official said.

Committee members pressed staff on splash-pad and pool hours during heat advisories. Staff said coverage depends on lifeguard schedules and overtime willingness: several splash pads and pools close one weekday for staff schedules, and keeping them open on a closed day requires staff willing to work overtime. For one recent heat day, staff said lifeguards were not available to extend hours, though other lifeguards later volunteered to cover additional days. Staff encouraged callers to contact programs in advance, since schedules can change.

On construction, staff said Roosevelt Pool’s contractor now estimates an August 1 completion after permit delays and unforeseen rework. Staff said a health-department permitting delay prevented site work from starting on time and that once demolition began crews discovered prior work that required additional repairs. For Jamie Farr, staff said demolition revealed an older pool built inside the later tank, requiring extra demolition and additional sewer and site work before a splash pad can be installed.

Staff also noted some program-level successes: the Wayman Palmer Y’s Books and Basketball program has strong engagement and participants praised the availability of bus passes for participants. Staff credited a partnership with the local transit provider (discussed at the meeting as a bus-pass arrangement) for helping attendance. A final summer-program report is expected after programs conclude and partners submit final reports and invoices.

Clarifying details: Roosevelt Pool contractor estimated an August 1 completion (source: Department staff); Jamie Farr required additional demolition after crews found an older pool within the tank (source: Parks staff). Staff said lifeguard availability limits the ability to extend hours and that decisions about overtime drive whether splash pads/pools remain open on scheduled closed days.