Beat the heat: Here's where to cool off in Corpus Christi
If you haven't noticed, it's brutally hot outside.
Rather than staying inside and cranking down your air conditioner, cool off at one of Corpus Christi's many water spots.
And while the Watergarden recently reopened after being closed for nearly seven years, it is not a swimming hole for people to cool down at. It is a popular attraction with water and lights.
For city pools and splash pads, all children under the age of 8 must be accompanied and supervised at all times by an adult age of 16 years or older.
Additionally, a new splash pad at Cole Park is set to be completed in June. It will include 23 interactive water features, shade structures and ADA access.
The schedule for city sites may be subject to change, so be sure to visit cctexas.com/swim-programs-pools.
Most of the options below are free, but a couple do require admission fees.
Bayfront Park
1600 N. Chaparral St.
This park in downtown Corpus Christi, right near American Bank Center, offers an interactive fountain for people to cool off at.
It is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Bill Witt Park
6869 Yorktown Blvd.
Located on the city's Southside, this park's splash pad offers plenty of water fun for children of all ages.
It is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, from May to October.
Collier Pool
3801 Harris Dr.
This year-round pool has a big bucket dunk, fountain features and six designated lanes for swimmers to practice their lap swims.
It is open for lap swim from 6 to 9 a.m. Monday and Tuesday; 6 to 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday; and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For open swim, the pool is open from 2 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Greenwood Pool
4305 Greenwood Drive
The Greenwood pool is closed for maintenance repair until further notice. But it does include three big slides and has a maximum depth of 11 feet.
Normally, it is open 2 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday during the summer.
H-E-B Pool
1501 Shely St.
Wanting to take your little ones to a pool? This pool is more for inexperienced swimmers with a zero-depth entry pool, water features, cabanas and a party-concession area.
It is open for swimming lessons from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The pool is open for parent and toddler classes from 9 to 11 a.m. Monday and Tuesday. For open swim, it is open from 2 to 7:30 p.m Monday, Tuesday and Friday through Sunday. The pool is open from until Sunday, Aug. 4.
Hurricane Alley Waterpark
702 E. Port Ave.
Corpus Christi's own waterpark is a fun go-to place to cool off with rides for all ages. Along with plenty of slides, a surfing simulator and a kid's zone, there's also a gift shop and a pool bar for adults.
Hurricane Alley is open from April until Sunday, Aug. 27, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday through Sunday, and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesdays for its Dive-In Movie event. Tickets are $20 during the week and $25 on weekends. For more information, visit hacctx.com.
Lindale Park
3133 Swantner Drive
The splash pad is found near the Lindale Senior Center and has a nearby playground for kids who want to take a break from the water features.
It is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, throughout May to October.
Natatorium Pool
3202 Cabaniss Parkway
The Natatorium is Corpus Christi's own indoor olympic-style pool designed to host competitive swim meets, but you are able to enjoy swimming recreationally, practicing your diving skills and go lap swimming when it's available.
The year-round pool is open from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. from Monday through Thursday for swim lessons and lap swim, and noon to 8 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday through Sunday for open swim.
The pool will be closed Monday, Aug. 5 through Friday, Aug. 16 for scheduled maintenance.
Oso Pool
1109 Bernice Drive
Tucked away in a neighborhood off McArdle Road, Oso Pool welcomes the community to enjoy its cool waters while providing shade and tables for those wanting to take a break from swimming.
It is open from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. from Monday through Thursday for swim lessons, and 2 to 7:30 p.m. from Monday and Tuesday, and Friday through Sunday for open swim. The pool is open until Sunday, Aug. 4.
Salinas Park
1354 Airport Road
The Salinas Park splash pad is one of the smaller ones in the city, but it still gets you and your family cooled down during the hot water and includes a large water bucket.
It is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, throughout May to October.
Texas State Aquarium
2710 N. Shoreline Blvd.
The Texas State Aquarium's H-E-B Splash Park is its latest feature to be added to the venue, which features slides, water fountains and cabana areas. The water spot is available with purchase of admission.
The aquarium is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, with the H-E-B Splash Park opening an hour later. For more information, visit texasstateaquarium.org.
West Guth Pool
9700 Up River Road
Located near Corpus Christi's Annaville suburb, the West Guth Pool features a zero-depth pool, splash water features and a climbing wall.
It is open from 9 to 11 a.m. for parent and toddler classes, and 2 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday for open swim. The pool is open from until Sunday, Aug. 4.
West Haven Park
1719 Cliff Maus Drive
The splash pad is the newest to Corpus Christi, with it opening Thursday for the community near West Oso ISD and the Molina neighborhood.
It is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, throughout May to October.
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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or Twitter @johnpoliva.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Water spots: Here are places to visit to cool off in Corpus Christi
