Tag Archives: Kids

Guide to Pittsburgh public pools: hours, cost, locations, rules

UPDATE 6/2019 – Please visit Very Local Pittsburgh for an updated pool guide for 2019.

Image courtesy of Citiparks.

Image courtesy of Citiparks.

All 18 Pittsburgh city pools are officially open for the summer, until September 2! Check the Citiparks website to make sure your local pool is open for the day.

While none of the locations provide refreshments, guests are welcome to bring their own food and drinks (no alcohol).

Don’t forget to check out the water carnivals, hosted by a different pool every few days in July. Basically an open pool party for the neighborhood, the carnivals feature unique themes, fun games, raffle prizes, and free food and drinks (normal admission prices apply).

Hours

Mondays – Fridays, 1:00- 7:45 p.m
Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays, 1:00- 5:45 p.m.

Adult Lap Swim:
For individuals 16 years old and older.

Mondays – Fridays, 5-6 p.m.
Every pool

Mondays – Fridays, Noon – 1 p.m.
Highland, Moore, Schenley and Sue Murray

Saturdays – Sundays, Noon – 1 p.m.
Bloomfield, Highland, Jack Stack, Magee, Moore, Ormsby, Phillips, Ream, Riverview, Schenley, Sue Murray, West Penn and Westwood

Family swim:
Any individual under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult 18 years old or older.

Monday- Friday 5pm-close
Every pool

Cost
Payable by cash, check, or money order only.

Year-long pool passes
Year-long (June-June) pool passes can be purchased at outdoor pools (except Ammon) during operating hours, or at the Citiparks Office on the fourth floor of the City-County building (414 Grant Street, Downtown Pittsburgh).

City of Pittsburgh residents (proof required)

  • Family of four: $60; each additional family member: $10
  • Adult (16 years old and older): $30
  • Youth (3-15 years old): $15
  • Kids (2 and under): free

Free pool tags are available for City residents who are disabled veterans, plus families of active duty military and activated reservist/guard members. Proper ID is required.

City of Pittsburgh residents who receive welfare benefits can buy tags at a 50% discount. A case print-out and proof of identity are required to receive the discount.

Non-City of Pittsburgh residents

  • Adult or youth: $45

Daily pool pass

  • Adult (16 years old and older): $4
  • Youth (3-15 years old): $3

Locations

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East/Central

Ammon (Hill District)
2217 Bedford Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-255-2627

One of the biggest pools in Pittsburgh, they get a lot of camps during the day but quiet down after about 4pm.
Water carnival: July 23

Bloomfield
408 Ella Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15224
412-622-6956

Water carnival: July 9

Highland Park -good for families -one of biggest
151 Lake Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
412-665-3637

With a kiddie pool and a mushroom spray fountain, plus handicap accesible features, this pool is great for families. It’s also one of the biggest and busiest in Pittsburgh and has sand volleyball courts
Water carnival: July 13

Homewood
540 N. Lang Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15208
412-244-4186

Another pool that gets a good amount of camps during the day but is very quiet in the evenings.
Water carnival: July 2

Magee (Greenfield)
745 Greenfield Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
412-422-4265

Known for having one of the best swim teams in the program, this pool next to the recreation center gets decent crowds.
Water carnival: July 9

Schenley Park
1 Overlook Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-422-4266

One of busiest, this pool is favored by the college-aged and young adult crowd, with not a lot of kids swimming here. It is a walk-in pool though, which is great for kids and new/apprehensive swimmers.
Water carnival: July 13

West Penn (Polish Hill)
450 30th Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
412-622-6908

Water carnival: July 20

North

Jack Stack (Brighton Heights)
600 Brighton Woods Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
412-766-4577

This newer walk-in pool (great for kids and different swim levels) also has a smaller kiddie pool.
Water carnival: July 4

Riverview (Perry North)
400 Riverview Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15214
412-323-7223

Water carnival: August 6

Sue Murray (North Side)
301 Cedar Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
412-323-7914

Although it gets busy with camps during the day, this walk-in pool with slides is much more quiet in the evenings. It’s also handicap accessible with a lift chair.
Water carnival: July 6

South/West

Banksville
1461 Crane Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15220
412-571-3231

A great (yet quiet) pool for families, this facility has a kiddie pool and fountain, baseball fields, playgrounds, an attached pavilion available for rent, and a brand new deck hockey rink sponsored by the Penguins.
Water carnival: July 11

McBride (Lincoln Place) – good for families
1785 McBride Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15207
412-476-1311

This pool is handicap accessible.
Water carnival: July 23

Moore (Brookline)
1801 Pioneer Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15226
412-571-3223

A big, popular walk-in pool, there’s slides onsite and a large shallow area that’s good for kids.
Water carnival: July 16

Ormsby (South Side)
79 S. 22nd Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15203
412-488-8377

This pool gets crowded with a wide variety of people, from teens to families to random passersby, and is right on the busline.
Water carnival: July 27

Phillips (Carrick) -good for families
201 Parkfield Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15210
412-885-7498

This quiet, mostly neighborhood pool has a spray pad for kids not quite ready for the actual pools, making it great for families with young kids. There’s also an attached rec center.
Water carnival: July 6

Ream (Mt. Washington)
321 Merrimac Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15211
412-488-8312

Right on the busline, this pool has a lot of programs and a playground.
Water carnival: July 20

Sheraden
1071 Adon Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15204
412-777-5011

Water carnival: July 25

Westwood
100 Guyland Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15205
412-937-3061

Water carnival: July 16

Rules

The pool promotes a family-friendly environment at all times.

  • Pool tags must be worn at all times.
  • Swim suits are required for the pool and deck area.
  • Patrons must shower before entering the pool.
  • No running, dunking, horseplay or profanity.
  • No diving on the shallow side of safety line.
  • Smoking is prohibited inside the facility, including e-cigarettes.
  • Food and drink are permitted only in designated area.
  • Swimmers under six years of age must be accompanied by an adult 16 years or older.
  • The Head Lifeguard must approve all flotation devices. Inflatable flotation devices are prohibited.
  • Lounge chairs & strollers must be kept at a minimum distance of ten feet from poolside.
  • Patrons with medical conditions should inform the Lifeguards.
  • Citiparks is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged property.
  • Complaints – see the Head Lifeguard for procedures.
  • Lifeguards are responsible for your safety, so please follow the rules.
  • Violations of above rules may result in disciplinary action up to and including loss of pool privileges.

Click the links for more information about the four spray parks the city operates, swim lessons, and other swimming programs.

Got information to add? Dying to know an answer to a question about the pools? Facebook us, send us a tweet, or leave a comment below. You can contact the city pools directly here: http://pittsburghpa.gov/city-info/swimming-pools.html

Record a Custom CD Card for Mom with the Saturday Light Brigade

Mother’s Day… Yes, Folks that important holiday is right around the corner.  (Dear Wigle Whiskey – please be planning a mothers day tasting event!).   Mother’s day gifts can be tricky – but the Children’s Museum has stepped into save the day!

This is such a cool idea from the folks at Saturday Light Brigade.  If you aren’t familiar with SLB – it is a a public radio show that has been on the air since 1978 with acoustic music and family friendly fun.  A few years ago the SLB started broadcasting from the Children’s Museum.

For mothers day they will help you record a cd with an audio message for mom from their recording studio.

DATES: April 28–May 13 (for Mother’s Day) and June 2–June 17 (for Father’s Day)
TIME: 1–4 p.m.
LOCATION: SLB Radio Productions, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
COST: $12 for a card/CD kit from the museum shop

Let your own voice be the unique message and special one-of-a-kind gift you give this year for Mother’s Day and/or Father’s Day!

During the hands-on program, children and youth ages 5 and up will record a personal message, poem, song, or story for their mother, father, grandparent, or special caregiver. SLB staff will conduct welcoming interviews about the person receiving the card, and will record greetings and messages live onto an audio CD in its award-winning broadcast studios.

After the recording session, the professional-quality cards will be edited on site. The audio CD will be affixed to a special card, which children and youth will decorate and personalize using a variety of art materials. Ready for delivery in just a short time, audio cards will be brought home that very day as a Mother’s Day/Father’s Day gift that will be cherished for a lifetime.

Creation of personalized audio cards is available for recording in May and June each year at SLB. No appointment is necessary. Purchase of a CD Creation Card Kit is required in the Children’s Museum gift shop prior to recording. The cost is $12, which includes a CD, card kit, decorating supplies, studio time, and editing. All proceeds benefit programs for children and youth at SLB Radio.

You can follow the Saturday Light Brigade on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/slbradio and Twitter @SLBradio.

Dormont Street Fair & Music Festival

DORMONT FALL STREET FAIR & MUSIC FESTIVAL

Pittsburgh legends Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers to headline free Potomac Avenue event

DATE: Saturday, October 10, 2009 4—11 p.m.
LOCATION: Potomac Avenue between West Liberty and Belrose Avenues,  Dormont, PA

the Borough continues its ongoing Centennial Celebration and hosts its most exciting Street Fair to date! From 4 to 11 p.m., join friends, neighbors and surrounding South Hills community members for the 3rd Annual Dormont Street Fair & Music Festival. Check out local Dormont businesses, boutiques, artists, and organizations, and support the town’s Potomac Avenue commercial district. Get fit with Zumba, test your Salsa skills, and see if you’ve got rhythm with InnerBeat Drum School.

Rock the night away to live music by legendary Pittsburgh musician, and Dormont resident, Joe Grushecky and the Houserockers, who is the event’s featured headlining act.  Continue reading →

Radio Round Up – November 7, 2008

Jen and MorganImage by juliekaffe via FlickrStreet with a View

  • Adding art to Google Maps
  • Google Street view, Sampsonia Way on the North Side

Bikes Before Christmas

  • Kraynick’s Bikes and Pittsburgh Police are collecting used bikes for kids.
  • Mr. Kraynick and volunteers will fix up the bikes
  • Last year 230 bikes were donated to area kids
  • Drop off bikes at Kraynick’s on Penn Ave in Garfield or any Pittsburgh police station

Sprout Fund Harvest Festival and Penn Avenue First Fridays

  • Stop by the Spround Fund offices for food, drink and music
  • Learn about some of the great projects the Sprout Fund supports
  • Friday from 5:30-9:30pm

Handmade Arcade

  • Huge handmade craft sale – art, t-shirts, gifts and more
  • Crafters from all over the country
  • Saturday and Sunday at Hunt Armory in Shadyside

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Donate Bikes and Mr. Kraynik will fix them for Kids

Kraynick's on Penn AveImage by lemonad via FlickrI have been fascinated by this bike shop ever since I read about this project last year in the Post-Gazette (click here to see the 2007 article). I wasn’t even sure that shop was still in business but ever since I read the article I keep seeing people wearing Kraynick’s Bike T-shirts (Where can I get one?).

Well Bike Pgh just posted an article from the Post-Gazette – the Bike Before Christmas project is back for another holiday season. This is a project that is coordinated by the City of Pittsburgh Police and Jerry Kraynick. This is the 4th year of the program – last year Mr. Kraynick with the help of some volunteers tuned up 230 bikes which were distributed to kids for Christmas.

You can help by donating bikes to:

Kraynick’s Bikes, 5300 Penn Ave or any of the City’s Police Stations

  • Zone 1, 1501 Brighton Road, North Side
  • Zone 2, 2000 Centre Ave., Hill District
  • Zone 3, 18th and Mary Streets,
  • South Side
  • Zone 4, 5858 Northumberland St., Squirrel Hill
  • Zone 5, Penn Circle West at Broad Street, East Liberty.

Check out this awesome panorama photo of the bike shop that the Post-Gazette put together. Here is a write up on the shop in Dirt Rag magazine.

I enjoyed reading more about this bike shop – here is what some other bloggers that wrote about Kraynick’s:

  • Maintain – compares a NYC shop to Kraynick’s
  • Breathing Dirt – Mr. Kraynick helped him build a bike to ride in the MS150
  • Null Space – Chris Briem cites this article as “What Makes Pittsburgh Pittsburgh”
  • SF Cyclotouring – “my all-time favorite shop in the whole wide world”
  • Everything Nathan – Mr. Kraynick helped build Nathan’s bike

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