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Dive into Labor Day weekend at Eastern Iowa pools, splash pads

Outdoor, indoor options offer fun cool downs as the temperatures heat up

Diana Nollen

Aug. 31, 2023 9:52 am, Updated: Aug. 31, 2023 12:02 pm

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When the going gets hot, the hot go swimming, like they did when the temperatures climbed into the 90s on June 24, 2003, the inaugural year for the Noelridge Aquatic Center in northeast Cedar Rapids. Temperatures are expected to rise again this weekend, and swimmers can beat the heat at Noelridge in the afternoon Saturday through Monday, before the aquatic center closes for the season. (The Gazette)
When the going gets hot, the hot go swimming, like they did when the temperatures climbed into the 90s on June 24 2003, the inaugural year for the Noelridge Aquatic Center in northeast Cedar Rapids. Temperatures are expected to rise again this weekend, and swimmers can beat the heat at Noelridge in the afternoon Saturday through Monday, before the aquatic center closes for the season. (The Gazette)

Just in time for temperatures to nudge back toward nearly the triple digits, several Corridor swimming pools and splash pads will remain open during the worst of it.

Cedar Rapids

Noelridge Aquatic Center: 1248 42nd St. NE, will be open from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and 1 to 5 p.m. Monday. Much more than just a pool, this aquatic center sports zero-depth entry, sloping entry stairs, hydraulic chair lift, a waterslide, a speed slide, a drop slide, lap lanes, a diving board, several whimsical water play features, a sand play area for those dreaming of a beach as well as places to sit, lie or eat in the shade. Admission is $6 or a swim pass. Details: cedar-rapids.org/residents/parks_and_recreation/noelridge_aquatic_center.php

Bender Pool: 940 14th Ave. SE, is open through Friday and will reopen for the fall season Tuesday. This indoor pool has shallow and deep ends, lanes for swimming or walking, a basketball hoop, a slide, a hydraulic chair and sloping steps. Admission ranges from $5.25 to $6.25, depending on the program. Details: cedar-rapids.org/residents/parks_and_recreation/bender_pool.php

Iowa City

Dogs swim and play with tennis balls during the 2022 Dog Paddle at the City Park Pool in Iowa City. This year, the pool will go to the dogs from noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 10. The Friends of the Animal Center Foundation puts on the event, which lets dogs have their day before the pool is drained for the season. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)
Dogs swim and play with tennis balls during the 2022 Dog Paddle at the City Park Pool in Iowa City. This year, the pool will go to the dogs from noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 10. The Friends of the Animal Center Foundation puts on the event, which lets dogs have their day before the pool is drained for the season. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

City Park Pool: Upper City Park, 200 E. Park Rd., will be open for lap swim 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and open swims from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday to Monday. The city’s outdoor T-shaped pool features lanes, two 1-meter and two 3-meter diving boards, as well as a small wading pool. Admission is $4 or by pass, and free for ages 2 and under.

Fall season for the indoor Mercer Park Aquatic Center Pool and Robert A. Lee Pool will be announced Friday at icgov.org/government/departments-and-divisions/parks-and-recreation/recreation/aquatics-kevin2

Dog Paddle: Noon to 2 p.m. or 3 to 5 p.m. Sept. 10, City Park Pool. The dogs get their day, swimming, chasing tennis balls or just splashing around. Presented by Friends of the Animal Center Foundation, cost is $10 until Friday online registration ends Wednesday; $15 at the door. Details: facf.org/events/dog-paddle-2022-722

Coralville

Coralville Recreation Center Indoor Pool: 1506 Eighth St., will be open 6 a.m. to 8:45 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday. The pool features a diving board, shallow and deep ends, separate wading pool and a whirlpool spa. Cost: $5 ages 2 and up. The pool will reopen to the public Wednesday. Details: coralville.org/279/Indoor-Pool

North Liberty

Pacha Aquatic Center: 520 W. Cherry St. This indoor facility will be open Saturday and Sunday for lap swim from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and open swim from 1 to 5:55 p.m. Enter from inside the Community Center. The pool will be closed Labor Day and reopen Tuesday. Details: northliberty.recdesk.com/Community/Page?pageId=22750

Monticello

Monticello Aquatic Center: 811 S. Cedar St., will be open Saturday from noon to 1 p.m. for lap swim and aerobics, then 1 to 5 p.m. for open swim Saturday to Monday. Puppy Parties will be held Monday, from 5:15 to 6 p.m. for small dogs, and 6 to 7 p.m. for all dogs. Details: facebook.com/MonticelloAquaticCenter/

Corridor splash pads

Children beat the afternoon heat by cooling off at the splash pad on June 16, 2022, at Tucker Park in Hiawatha. The city also has another splash pad in Guthridge Park. Hiawatha splash pads are open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Labor Day weekend. (Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette)
Children beat the afternoon heat by cooling off at the splash pad June 16, 2022, at Tucker Park in Hiawatha. The city also has another splash pad in Guthridge Park. Hiawatha splash pads are open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Labor Day weekend. (Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette)

Cedar Rapids splash pads: The city’s free cool and colorful splash pads will operate by touch from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. through Sept. 10 -- later than usual, but the city extended it past Labor Day because of the forecast hot weather. You don’t have to be a kid to run through the sprays, but you might want to take a towel to dry off — unless it’s so hot the water just evaporates off your skin and clothes. Locations are: Cedar Valley Park, 2250 Blakely Blvd. SE; Cleveland Park, 1600 Eighth Ave. SW; Daniels Park, 940 Oakland Rd. NE; Greene Square, 400 Fourth Ave. SE; Hayes Park, 1924 D St. SW; Hidder Park, 10th Street and 14th Avenue SE; Jacolyn Park, Jacolyn Drive and Gordon Avenue NW; Noelridge Park, 4900 Council St. NE; Redmond Park, Third Avenue and 16th Street SE; Time Check Park, Fifth Street and J Avenue NW; and Twin Pines Park, 3500 42nd St. NE. Details: cedar-rapids.org/residents/parks_and_recreation/splash_pads2.php

Hiawatha splash pads: Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Labor Day weekend in Tucker Park, 101 B Ave., and Guthridge Park, 704 Emmons St. Details: hiawatha-iowa.com/departments/parks-recreation/faq

Marion splash pads: Open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. through Labor Day in Thomas Park, 343 Marion Blvd., and Gill Park, 3450 Hawthorne St. Details: cityofmarion.org/recreation/parks-recreation/parks/splash-pads

Iowa City splash pads: These touch-activated water features operate from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, Memorial Day to Labor Day. Sites are: Wetherby Park splash pad, 2400 Taylor Dr.; Fairmeadows Park splash pad, 2500 Miami Dr.; and Tower Court Park spray pad, 1124 Tower Ct. Details: icgov.org/government/departments-and-divisions/parks-and-recreation/recreation/aquatics-kevin2

Comments: (319) 368-8508; diana.nollen@thegazette.com

Article Tags Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, Monticello, Hiawatha, Marion
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