City of Jacksonville short 100 lifeguards

Stephanie Bennett
·2 min read

The American Lifeguard Association reports a national shortage of lifeguards this summer.

The City of Jacksonville is facing the same problem. The city says it’s hired just over 200 lifeguards, but still needs around 100 more.

Officials point to the staffing shortage as why not all of its pools are open yet.

“When I was small, I loved going to the Springfield pool over on 8th Street and that’s been a hundred years ago almost, but nevertheless,” Sarah Riggins said.

Riggins worries for kids this summer. “It’s June now and it’s already hot, so I know it’s gonna be a hot summer.”

The city will be opening its pools in a phased approach.

The following pools will be open Saturday:

  • Terry Parker High School – 7301 Parker School Road

  • Fort Caroline – 131 Ferber Road

  • Woodland Acres/Warrington Park – 8200 Kona Avenue

  • Sandalwood High School – 2750 John Prom Blvd.

  • Samuel Wolfson High School – 7000 Powers Avenue

  • Pine Forest – 2335 Gattis Lane

  • Mandarin High School – 4831 Greenland Road

  • Andrew Jackson High School – 128 W. 30th St.

  • Harts Road/Eartha Napolean Park – 11597 Harts Road

  • Robert Kennedy Park – 1139 Ionia Street

  • Oceanway Park – 12215 Sago Avenue

  • W. Grand/Johnnie Walker Park – 2740 Division Street

  • Raines High School – 3663 Raines Avenue

  • Cecil Aquatic Center – 13611 Normandy Blvd.

  • Westside High School – 5530 Firestone Road

  • Baldwin Middle/High School – 345 Chestnut St. N.

  • Thomas Jefferson Park – 390 N. Jackson Ave.

  • Fletcher High School – 700 Seagate Ave.

  • Lakeshore Middle School – 2519 Bayview Rd.

The following six pools will open on July 2:

  • San Souci/Adolph Wurn Park – 2115 Dean Road

  • Golfair/Clanzel T Brown Park – 4415 Moncrief Road

  • Emmett Reed Park – 1093 W. 6th Street

  • Mallison Park – 3133 Lenox Avenue

  • Eugene Butler/ YMWLA – 900 Acorn Street

  • Riverside High School – 1200 S. McDuff Avenue

The city says it’s hopeful it will be fully staffed by the July 2 opening date. Action News Jax also reached out to the Ocean Rescue Division in Jax Beach.

Lt. Max Ervanian says the team there is “adequately staffed” to handle safety at the beaches.

As for Riggins, she hopes the City of Jacksonville gets enough lifeguards soon. “Kids could have something to do for the summer and have a place to play and have fun and be safe,” she said. The city says it offers lifeguards a starting salary of $12 dollars an hour.

To get involved, you can call 904-255-4271 or email bealifeguard@coj.net.

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