Baltimore City's Municipal Swimming Pools: The Coolest Game in Town on a Hot Summer Day - development and management of municipal aquatic programmes - Brief Article

Parks & Recreation, Feb, 2001 by Portia Harris

Amidst the backdrop of an urban landscape -- skyscrapers, row houses, sirens from fire engines/ police cars, and the bustling sounds of traffic you will find the "coolest game in Baltimore City" on a hot summers day.... municipal swimming pools. In an era where the challenges of operating in an urban environment have proven too great for many municipalities, the Department of Recreation and Parks Aquatics Division has prevailed and is striving to expand the aquatic horizons of the citizens of Baltimore. Although we must contend with adversities associated with operating in a metropolitan area, we continue to offer safe swimming environments and well-rounded aquatic experiences.

Issues such as vandalism, "after hour" swimming, and disciplinary issues, face us with each day of operation. Creative measures have been implemented to address these and other issues that has essentially deterred productivity in most cities and enables us to focus our energy on programs offered and the delivery of service. With the staggering cost and manpower required to undo the acts of vandals (cut fences, stolen equipment, debris in the pool water, etc.), we had to take action. A partnership with the Baltimore City Police Department, which encouraged the arrest and prosecution of vandals and "night swimmers," has drastically reduced such incidents. Equally effective has been the assigning of off-duty, uniformed police officers to each location during operational hours. The presence of a police officer allows us to "watch the water" without distraction as well as assure the safety of staff and patrons using our pools. While our actions may be perceived as drastic by many, we have removed many of the stigmas, stereotypes, and hazards that were associated with our facilities.

Approximately one third of Baltimore City's 750,000 residents patronize the municipal swimming pools during the summer swim season. During the period of June - September, twenty one swimming pools and twenty one wading pools are operated to provide a cool outlet for abundant energy. Four-teen outdoor and three indoor swimming pools (Size: 25 yd., 6 lane) are located within residential areas. Our four largest swimming pool facilities (Size: 75 yd., x 25 yd., 25 yd., 6 lane deep tank) are located in the City's major park areas. Our wading pools are 0 depth facilities with sprinkles or interactive water play features. Approximately 300 seasonal employees are hired to operate our facilities and sustain our many programs.

Programs offered during the summer season both educate and provide a fun swimming experience for the general public. The Learn to Swim Program, offered in conjunction with the American Red Cross, is held at each swimming pool and is credited with teaching basic/advanced swimming skills to approximately 1,000 youth and adults per season. Novice swimmers are recruited and trained to be a part of competitive teams formed at each location to participate in the two meets held annually as culminating activities. The participants are encouraged to further develop their competitive swimming skill in the age-group swimming program, the Baltimore City Swim Club, which is sponsored by the Department of Recreation and Parks. Other programs, such as Water Aerobics and lap swimming are offered to encourage our patrons to "work out in the water" as a part of their fitness regimen.

Diversity is the key! During the program planning and development period for each swim season, we don't limit ourselves to the traditional swimming pool activities. A variety of programs are incorporated each season to encourage a well-rounded enjoyment of the water. Innovative programs such as introduction to scuba diving for youth, model boat building/racing, water basketball/volleyball, and synchronized swimming are offered during the summer season. As part of the "total" Aquatic experience, sailing, rowing, fishing, boating safety classes, and boat building are offered at the Baltimore Rowing and Water Resource Center which is the "Home of the Aquatics Division". This unique facility, which resembles a yacht club, is located along the banks of the Patapsco River and provides the perfect venue for expanding our aquatic base.

It is true that operating within the urban environment presents special circumstances. These conditions are a challenge to surpass even our own expectations. We are only limited by our imaginations in offering a variety of aquatic experiences which benefit the citizens of Baltimore.

Portia Harris writes about Baltimore City's Municipal Swimming Pools and calls them "the coolest game in town on a hot summers day" (p. 78). Presently, she is the aquatics program director, City of Baltimore, Department of Recreation and Parks. She oversees the operation of 21 swimming pools; 18 outdoor and three indoor. She has been employed with the aquatics division in various capacities since 1980 and is also chairman of the Maryland Swimming Board of Directors Outreach Program and cofounder of the Baltimore City Swim Club. Harris was inducted into the Aquatics Pioneers Hall of Fame in 1996.