Thursday, August 7, 2008

Let's go swimming!

I have some questions and concerns about The City of Allentown public pools. The other day we went to Cedar Beach pool. It's a nice pool, seems well maintained. It was a perfect summer day for swimming. I had anticipated a huge crowd of kids. Boy, was I wrong. It was mid-afternoon and it seemed like the place was only about 1/10 full. Maybe less. We asked one of the young ladies working there if this low turnout was normal, and she said yes. I don't understand. Makes no sense. Why isn't it packed?

My husband, who grew up in Allentown, can remember going to the Cedar Beach pool in the 60's and in the summertime it was always jam packed with kids and moms. He tells me, "the cars overflowed the parking lot and filled the grass area from the parking lot to Hamilton Street. And it was really hard even finding any open grass space to put a blanket or towel down. It was as crowded as the beach at Coney Island." I can remember being a kid in the 70's and spending all day at the pool. (I grew up in NJ)

So where are all the Allentown kids? Are they at private pools? Are they home playing video games or watching tv? Is swimming too boring? Is it too expensive? Since in most households both parents work are all the younger kids in daycare? But what about the teenagers? I don't know if the other Allentown pools attract more people, I've only been to Cedar Beach pool.

If you pay just for the day it's $5.50 for adults, $3.50 for kids over 5 yrs. old. Kids under 5 are free. Spectators are $2. You can get a season pass for $75 per adult, $45 per child. I guess if you have a big family this can get rather expensive, but they do have reasonable family rates. See city website for details. http://www.allentownpa.gov/ Go to Parks and Recreation, Aquatics.
Anyone know (or have a theory as to) why Cedar Beach pool is not nearly as crowded as it used to be?

Image- Levittown, PA public pool circa 50's or 60's (I could not find a pic of Cedar pool)

10 comments:

Bernie O'Hare said...

Dottie, I suspect that many of the kids are unable to afford the price of admission. I don't know any kids who would stay away from water voluntarily.

A.J.C. said...

I have been to that pool a few times. It was fun back in tha day.

Perhaps Musikfest has something to do with it? Plus, this is the peak of vacation time from what I understand.

Anonymous said...

Irving and Fountain pools are cheaper and free 1 or 2 days a week. They get packed.

gsbrace said...

When I worked for cityspace schoolage care to pay for college, we took the kids to Jordan or Mack pools. We managed to receive grants from local funders to pay for the summer passes. Many school age centers (cityspace, lv child care, Volunteers of America) and others build frequents visits to the pools into their summer activities.

I always laughed at 4pm after 3 hours at the pool. The kids, ages 5-12, were usually wiped out. So were the staff.

Anonymous said...

Dottie:
Anon 8 AM is right. My wife grew up on Irving Street on the East Side, tells me that pool is very popular, always was, the community is a bit tighter than West end is. I would guess maybe most inner city residents aren't aware of the programs Geoff notes. Kids also have more distractions today. (Play Station, etc) and don't get out of the house for a variety of reasons. Is the cause societal, cultural, financial restraints, or a lack of communication in the community? The formula for an unattended pool could have variables of many types. Pools cost money to operate, some fees are required. I would let kids under 12 in free from Monday to Thursday, but that's me.
-Chris Casey

Mrs. Dottie said...

RE:"Is the cause societal, cultural, financial restraints, or a lack of communication in the community"

Chris and all, I think these are all factors, but cost seems to be the big one. I did not know that Irving and Fountain pools have free days. I think that would be a good idea for all the pools.

Bill Villa said...

Don't forget the comprehensively stocked Snack Bar at Cedar Beach Pool. Outstanding. One of the numerous delicacies we indulged in was a soft pretzel (warm, soft, and perfectly salted) with an amazingly creamy and flavorful cheese sauce as dipping agent. Didn't even ask the price, it was that delicious.

Always wait 45 minutes after eating to resume swimming.

michael molovinsky said...

cedar beach and a baby boomer-- mothers and children occupied the north and east end grass. the west grass section was strictly for teenagers. all males over 14 were expected to jump the west side fence, paying the quarter or fifty cents was wimpy. girls went off the low boards, guys off the tower board.(yes, there were diving boards) hot dogs were a quarter, snow cones a dime. the coolest didn't wear suits, they just played poker at the picnic tables in the eating section.

Bill Villa said...

... don't forget Cedar's "beach," which was the fairly large sand area at the far east section. With just the right amount of sand in a crushed-up snow cone cup, you had the perfect "baseball" to smack with your hand and run the bases (trying to not up-end some toddler in diapers near 3rd base) and work up a good sweat before both teams raced each other back into the pool.

Mrs. Dottie said...

Thanks for the stories MM and BV.