As Boston residents exit a historic heatwave, the search for places to cool off has become increasingly urgent. However, with only 11 of the city’s 20 public pools open due to multiple closures for repairs and renovations, options are limited for those looking to escape the heat.
Currently, nine of Boston’s pools are closed, five of which—located in Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan—will remain shut for the rest of the summer. Fortunately, four other pools are expected to open soon, including Charlestown’s Clougherty Pool on Saturday, the North End’s Mirabella Pool, and South Boston’s Condon Pool on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Jamaica Plain’s Hennigan Pool is slated to return later this summer after some repairs.
The city’s pool closures have drawn criticism, notably from mayoral candidate Josh Kraft, who labeled the situation as “totally unacceptable” during a heat emergency. Kraft highlighted the prolonged closures in neighborhoods like Roxbury and Jamaica Plain as examples of what he termed misguided priorities by the Mayor.
In defense, Wu’s campaign responded with an email to the Globe, emphasizing that Mayor Wu has overseen a reopening of more pools than any previous administration in a decade. Spokesperson for Wu added that rather than overcoming a swimming crisis, Kraft should focus on understanding the complexities surrounding Boston’s pool conditions.
City councilor Erin Murphy agreed that strides have been made since the widespread pool closures of two summers ago, stating that neighborhoods like Mattapan and Roxbury had seen a significant lack of accessible pools.
“This summer, we have made a concerted effort to hire more lifeguards to ensure pools can remain open,” Murphy explained. She noted that the city has raised lifeguard wages, introduced part-time roles, and lifted residency requirements to attract college students already trained in lifeguarding.
Additionally, to further incentivize applications, the city launched low-cost or free lifeguard training sessions at various locations in hopes of expanding the qualified workforce.
Despite these efforts, many residents, including Mission Hill resident Luisa Harris, feel the city’s reopening timeline is inadequate. Harris expressed her frustration over delays in reopening the Hennigan Pool, which has faced numerous closures since the COVID-19 pandemic started—according to community outreach efforts and an online petition that amassed nearly 400 signatures.
“Last summer, Hennigan opened but was soon shut down due to mechanical issues,” said a spokesperson for the Boston Centers for Youth and Families, the agency responsible for operating many of the pools.
The Hennigan Pool had served as a popular recreational venue for residents from Mission Hill, Roxbury, and northern Jamaica Plain, which has prompted Harris and other locals to reach out to various city officials for assistance in expediting its reopening.
Despite trying conventional communication methods, like emails and discussions, progress has been minimal, according to Harris.
In instances where pools are closed, a Globe review highlighted that at least one other facility remains open attempting to ease the burden on residents in surrounding neighborhoods.
The Hennigan Pool’s impending reopening follows considerable renovation efforts at other city pools. The Draper Pool in West Roxbury and the Curtis Hall Pool in Jamaica Plain underwent repairs and successfully reopened in April. Additionally, the bathhouse for the Clougherty Pool is set to open later this week after a two-year, $35.5 million renovation project.
Earlier this year, Boston Public Schools also committed to a $4 million contract for a consultant team focused on evaluating and quickly addressing necessary repairs on pools under their purview, including the Condon Pool.
In addition to city-operated pools, state-managed facilities like the Melnea A. Cass Memorial Swimming Pool also exist. These state-managed swim facilities typically remain open from Saturday, June 21 to Sunday, August 17, according to a spokesperson from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
The DCR highlighted staffing challenges, noting that it’s especially difficult to retain staff as children return to school, which is why many pools close mid-August.
However, guarded beaches maintained by the DCR, such as the Boston Harbor Islands, will remain open until Monday, September 1, providing alternative options for outdoor recreation.
As summer progresses, residents in Boston will need to stay informed about the availability of public pools as officials work to ensure safe and accessible places to cool off during future heat spikes.
image source from：bostonglobe
