Cincinnati has a wealth of public water features to keep people chill as the temperature rises: There’s a swimming pool or sprayground in nearly every neighborhood and they’re either free to frolic in or cost only a couple of bucks for admission. It ain’t no country club, but some have some pretty swanky features — water slides, climbing walls, concession stands and seating so you can sun yourself all afternoon.
Ziegler Pool — Located in Ziegler Park, this renovated OTR pool helmed by 3CDC is a community hot spot and a hip place to see and be seen. Features include wheelchair-accessible entry, lap lanes, a diving board and a rock-climbing wall above the deep end. There is a concession stand with Popsicles, soda, etc., and guests are allowed to bring in their own food. 7-9 a.m. lap swim daily; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. public swim daily. $4 adults and $2 children/seniors (over 55) daily admission; season passes provided on a sliding fee scale. 216 Sycamore St., Over-the-Rhine, zieglerpark.org.
Dunham “Otto Armleder Memorial Regional Aquatic Center” Pool — Boasting later hours than most Cincinnati Recreation Commission spots and daily operations, the Westwood pool also boasts big features. There’s a zero-depth entry, toddler area, sprayground, climbing features, two large water slides and lap lanes. And, Dunham is the only CRC pool with a concession stand. 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday; 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday; noon-7 p.m. Sunday. $10 adults; $6 youth/seniors. 4356 Dunham Lane, Westwood, cincyrec.org.
McKie Pool — Remodeled in 2012, the CRC’s McKie Pool offers a deep pool, wading pool and diving board along with a sprayground and pool decks. Call 513-681-7669 for pool hours. $5 adults; $3 youth/seniors. 1655 Chase Ave., Northside, cincyrec.org.
Mount Adams Pool — Nestled in a greenspace by the Playhouse in the Park, the CRC’s Mount Adams Pool is a hidden gem. And with a maximum depth of 3 feet, it’s a waders’ paradise. Noon-7 p.m. Monday-Thursday; noon-6 p.m. Friday-Sunday. $5 adults; $3 youth/seniors. 966 Mt. Adams Circle, Mount Adams, cincyrec.org.
Oakley Pool — The CRC’s Oakley Pool is the only one that has a deep-water slide. It also has a diving board, sprayground and lap lanes. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, Thursday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday; noon-6 p.m. Friday, Sunday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday. $5 adults; $3 youth/seniors. 3900 Paxton Ave., Oakley, cincyrec.org..
Smale Riverfront Park Sprayground — Smale has multiple interactive water features, including the Fath Fountain plaza at the foot of Joe Nuxhall Way, with water jets that dance to light and music, and the P&G go Vibrantscape. Free admission. 100 W. Mehring Way, Downtown, cincinnatiparks.com.
Yeatman’s Cove — The Otto Armleder Memorial Aquatic Fountain features spray jets and a gigantic Brutalist-style angular shower head, all in the shadow of concrete monoliths built by architect Louis Sauer in the 1970s. Free admission. 705 E. Pete Rose Way, Downtown, cincinnatiparks.com.
Washington Park — The 7,000-square-foot water feature in the center of the park has more than 130 pop-up jets that can be synchronized to music and light (look nearby for instructions on how to select and play music). Open daily through October, this heat-buster also features waterfall steps and a Zen-like water boulder. Free admission. 1230 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, washingtonpark.org.
