Local

These KC-area pools are opening soon for free, cheap summer swims

By Zuri Primos
Swimmers enjoy the Black Bob Bay pool complex in Olathe.
Swimmers enjoy the Black Bob Bay pool complex in Olathe. Tammy Ljungblad tljungblad@kcstar.com

Memorial Day is approaching, marking the start of the summer season for pools and waterparks across the Kansas City metro.

Kansas City Parks and Recreation pools open May 24. Southeast Community Center and Tony Aguirre Community Center have pools open throughout the year. Kansas City Parks & Recreation also has 13 free sprayground facilities; open May 24 – Sept. 1 daily, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Merriam Community Center’s outdoor pool opens on Memorial Day. Those pool hours and the indoor pool hours are available online.

Shawnee residents can look forward to the Thomas A. Soetaert Aquatic Center and Splash Cove opening on May 24.

Overland Park has five different options, from Overland Park Parks and Recreation facilities, many of which open May 25, to the Blue Valley Recreation Activity Center, which is open year-round.

In Lenexa, the Lenexa Recreation Center is open for swimming year-round, and Sar-Ko-Par Aquatic Center opens May 24. Many Olathe Parks and Recreation facilities open the same day, while the Oregon Trail Pool opens Memorial Day.

Mission Family Aquatic Center opens May 24. Sylvester Powell Jr. Community Center is open year-round, and the schedule is accessible online.

Belton has family fun covered with Memorial Park Pool, opening May 24, and Belton Parks and Recreation’s Indoor Pool, open year-round.

Liberty Parks and Recreation’s pool at the Liberty Community Center will be open Memorial Day, and on May 28, the Ruth Moore Park and Liberty City Park free spraygrounds will be open to the public.

Lee Summit has the R-7 Aquatic Center for lap swimmers and Summit Waves for water slides, lazy rivers, and more.

Across the metro, there are plenty more options for summer swimming, including Gardner Aquatic Center, Austin Harmon Park Pool, Gladstone Municipal Pool, Outdoor and Indoor Pools at the Jewish Community Center, Oceans of Fun, Parkwood Pool, Spring Hill Aquatic Center, Riverside Municipal Pool, Roeland Park Swimming Pool, Fairway Swimming Pool and the River Community Pool at River Church.

Most facilities open around noon and have fees ranging from around $5-$10. Here’s the full list of Kansas City area pools:

Kansas City Parks and Recreation Pools:

  • Springs Aquatic Center

    • 9400 N Congress Ave., Kansas City, MO 64153

  • Tony Aguirre Community Center

    • 2050 W Pennway St., Kansas City, MO 64108

  • Bay Water Park

    • 7101 Longview Rd., Kansas City, MO 64134

  • Sprayground Locations:

    • Ashland Square Sprayground: 2200 Elmwood Ave 64127

    • Blue Valley Park Sprayground: 23rd Street and Topping 64129

    • Douglass Sprayground Park: 2632 Jarboe St. 64108

    • Garrison Sprayground: 1124 E. Fifth Street 64106

    • Gillham Sprayground: 41st and Gillham 64110

    • Harmony Park Sprayground: 10th Street and Agnes Avenue 64127

    • Longview Tract Sprayground: 7101 Longview Rd 64134

    • Loose Park Sprayground: 5200 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO 64112

    • Lykins Square Sprayground: E. 8th Street and Myrtle Avenue 64124

    • Parade Park Sprayground: 1600 E 17th Terrace 64108

    • Seven Oaks Park Sprayground: East 39th St. & Winchester Ave.64128

    • Spring Valley Park Sprayground: East 27th and Woodland Ave. 64109

    • Sunnyside Park Sprayground: 8255 Summit St, Kansas City, MO 64114

Merriam Pools:

Shawnee Pools:

Overland Park Pools:

Olathe Pools:

Lenexa Pools:

Mission Pools:

Belton Pools:

Liberty Pools:

    • 970 Rte 291, Liberty, MO 64068

    • 401 Grover St, Liberty, MO 64068

Lee’s Summit Pools:

Other Missouri Pools:

More Kansas Pools:

This story was originally published May 21, 2025 at 6:00 AM.

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