Jump in: Outdoor pools, water parks to help you cool off

Our sunnier season is off to a hot start this year, bringing lots of folks to Seattle's two seasonal outdoor public pools to cool off and enjoy June's unusually warm weather.

Mounger Pool and Colman Pool have been open since May and start their full summer schedules this weekend with daily lap swims and other fitness sessions, swimming lessons, public swims, family swims and supervised private rental.

The Mounger facility in the Magnolia neighborhood includes two outdoor pools: the Big Pool, with five lanes for lap swimming, 3.5-to 6.5-foot depth and a 50-foot corkscrew slide; and the Little Pool, a warm water, 2.3- to 4.3-foot deep teaching pool used for swimming lessons, family play and relaxation.

"We've had some sellouts at public swims already this year. It usually only happens when it hits 85 degrees and up," says Mounger Pool coordinator Bill Dougherty. "Entry to each session goes on sale 30 minutes prior to start time, no matter what the weather."

Mounger's most popular event is the daily Pool Playland for children 5 years old and younger with an adult, in the Warm Water Pool, with capacity limited to 61 people. It's often a sellout.

Colman Pool is an Olympic-sized 50-meter heated saltwater pool with a giant tube slide, a landmark on the beach at Lincoln Park in West Seattle since 1941. Colman has grassy sunbathing areas and deck chairs available with paid admission. The pool is inside the park, a distance from the parking lots via the paved beachfront/picnic area promenade overlooking the Fauntleroy Ferry Dock and other park trails.

Other local outdoor seasonal public pools include Peter Kirk Pool in Kirkland, with wading pool, lap lanes, lessons, public swims and family fun nights, open daily (425-587-3330 or www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/depart/parks/Aquatics/Peter_Kirk_Pool.htm); Cottage Lake Pool in Woodinville, opening for the season Sunday, with public swims, lessons and water exercise sessions (206-296-2999 or www.kingcounty.gov/parks); and McCollum Park Pool in Everett, with public swims starting June 20 (425-357-6036 or www.co.snohomish.wa.us).

The Henry Moses Aquatic Center in Cedar River Park, Renton, with wave pool, water play structure, water slides, six-lane lap pool and cafe, opens for the summer on June 20 (425-430-6780 or www.rentonwa.gov).

A private water park, Wild Waves in Federal Way, is open daily with giant water slides, tube slides, Raging River ride, wave pool and kiddie pools (253-661-8000 or www.wildwaves.com).

Call or check the Web for fees.

More details

Mounger Pool

Times: Closed for staff training 3-9 p.m. today-Friday. Regular hours 6 a.m.-9 p.m. daily; public swims 3-4:25 p.m. daily, 6:35-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1-2:25 p.m. and 3-4:25 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays; also 1-2:25 p.m. daily starting Monday. Family swim, parents must accompany children, 6:35-8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays; 5:30-7:30 p.m. "Fun Family" Fridays; 5:30-7 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. Pool Playland, 11 a.m.-noon daily.

Cost: Per session, $4/adult, $2.75/youth, senior and special population. Additional $1 for use of water slide; free slide at 6:35-8 p.m. Thursday public swims. Water fitness $3-$5/session. Swim lesson fees vary, financial aid available.

Location: Magnolia neighborhood, 2535 32nd Ave. W., Seattle.

More information: 206-684-4708 or www.seattle.gov/parks/">www.seattle.gov/parks/.

Colman Pool

Times: Noon-7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, noon-7 p.m. daily starting Monday. Public swims 1:45-4:45 p.m. daily; Family Swim, parents must accompany children into the water, 5-7 p.m. Fridays-Sundays. Pool closed to accommodate swim meets June 25-27 and July 10-12.

Cost: $4/adult, $2.75/youth, senior and special population. Additional $1 for use of water slide. Water fitness $3-$5/session. Swim lesson fees vary, financial aid available.

Location: Lincoln Park, 8603 Fauntleroy Way S.W., West Seattle.

More information: 206-684-7494 or www.seattle.gov/parks.

Madeline McKenzie: 206-464-8245 or mmckenzie@seattletimes.com