Escape the summer heat and take a dip at these inviting watering holes in Fort Worth
School is out and temperatures are on the rise, with this summer predicted to be a scorcher in North Texas.
Looking for a place to cool off that won’t break the bank? Here are a few family-friendly options in the Fort Worth area.
Forest Park Pool
This neighborhood gem near TCU and the Fort Worth Zoo has survived as the city previously demolished six other pools because of budget and maintenance issues.
Now Forest Park will be getting a face-lift after residents started a grassroots movement to counter the city’s plan to downsize the Olympic-sized pool.
Voters in May overwhelmingly approved a bond package to improve parks and pools, including $11 million for renovations at Forest Park Pool and an aquatics complex in Stop 6.
Renovations on the new design are expected to begin late this year or early 2023, but the current pool remains open to the public this summer. The facility will be closed in 2023 with the goal of opening in time for summer 2024, according to city officials.
Forest Park also offers swimming lessons for school-aged children.
Hours: 12:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday-Sunday (June 11-Aug. 14); Weekends only on Aug. 20-21, Aug. 27-28 and Sept. 3-5 (includes Labor Day)
Cost: $5 children (17 and under); $6 adults; $4 seniors
Website: fortworthtexas.gov/departments/parks/services/pools-and-aquatics
Address: 2850 Park Place, Fort Worth, TX 76110
Burger’s Lake
Go back in time and escape the bustling city at this iconic 30-acre park featuring sandy beaches and a 1-acre spring-fed oasis near the West Fork of the Trinity River.
Burger’s Lake also offers plenty of shade trees, more than 300 picnic tables, six diving boards, a 20-foot slide and 25-foot trapeze. You can also make a whole day out of the excursion by cooking your meal on charcoal grills.
Warning: Visitors can bring their own food and drinks, but alcohol is not permitted on the premises. Also, no pets are allowed.
Hours: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. daily (through Aug. 14); weekends only, Aug. 20-21, Aug. 27-28, Sept. 3-5 (includes Labor Day)
Cost: $15 per person (all ages)
Website: burgerslake.com
Address: 1200 Meandering Road, Fort Worth TX 76114
Marine Park Pool & Aquatic Center
The city’s newest pool opened in 2013 as a smaller structure at the site of the old Marine Park Pool on the Northside.
Visitors can get soaked with a giant water bucket on the interactive play structure, practice swimming in the lap lanes and have some thrills going down the large slide.
Pool amenities include a 3,200 square foot bath house, shade structures, benches and tables for seating and an infant/toddler changing area.
Hours: 12:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday-Sunday (June 11-Aug. 14); Weekends only on Aug. 20-21, Aug. 27-28 and Sept. 3-5 (includes Labor Day)
Cost: $5 children (17 and under); $6 adults; $4 seniors
Website: fortworthtexas.gov/departments/parks/services/pools-and-aquatics
Address: 303 NW 20th St., Fort Worth TX 76106
William M. McDonald YMCA
Fort Worth residents have access to this seasonal outdoor pool and water park through an agreement between the city and YMCA.
The agreement allows residents the same hours and pricing as the city’s aquatic facilities, plus the same price for swimming lessons.
The McDonald YMCA branch is located in southeast Fort Worth near U.S. 287.
Hours: 12:30-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday (through Aug. 21)
Cost: $5 children (17 and under); $6 adults; $4 seniors
Website: fortworthtexas.gov/departments/parks/services/pools-and-aquatics
Address: 2701 Moresby St., Fort Worth TX 76105
This story was originally published June 5, 2022 at 7:00 AM.