Readers–here it is–a listing of major KC-metro area pools, open to the public, and their locations! Pools should have all opened for the season over the weekend. (That’s no guarantee that the water is warm!!!) They are listed by city to make it as easy as possible to navigate. Many of the pools offer swimming lessons, as well. I’ve included the link to each city’s aquatics website…simply click on the city and you’ll see the corresponding aquatics page. These city-specific pages offer detailed information on lessons, pool hours and daily/season fees, if applicable. PLEASE SEND ME AN EMAIL IF I’VE FORGOTTEN YOUR FAVORITE POOL! I can easily add it to the list. Happy Swimming! And above all, be safe!!

Overland Park, KS and Leawood, KS

• Bluejacket, 101st and Bond, 913.327.5671
• Marty, 74th and Conser, 913.327.5672
• Roe, 104th and Roe, 913.327.5673
• Stonegate, 97th and Antioch, 913.327.5674
• TRAC, 119th and Lowell, 913.327.5675
• Young’s, 77th and Antioch, 913.327.5676
• Leawood Aquatic Center, 10601 Lee Blvd., 913.327.3977

Olathe, KS and Prairie Village, KS

• Black Bob Pool, 14570 W. 151st St., 913.764.9720
• Mill Creek Pool, 320 E. Poplar, 913.829.9811
• Frontier Pool, 15909 W. 127th St., 913.829.9730
• Oregon Trail Pool, 1800 W. Dennis, 913.829.9815
• City of Prairie Village Pool, 7711 Delmar, 913.642.6010

Lee’s Summit, MO

• Legacy Park Community Center, 901 NE Bluestem Drive, 816.969.1550
• Summit Waves, NE corner of Hwys 50 and 291 South, 816.969.1515

Kansas City, MO

• Brush Creek community center, 3801 Emmanuel Cleaver II Blvd., 816.784.4000 *JULY 22 PARTY*
• Line Creek community center, 5940 NW Waukomis Dr., 816.513.0760 *JUNE 10 PARTY*
• Budd Park, Budd Park Espl. & Denver Ave., 816.784.2600 *AUG 5 PARTY*
• Grove Park, 3031 E. Truman, 816.231.9568 *JUNE 24 PARTY*
• Swope Park, Swope Park- 67th and Lewis, 816.513.8915 *JULY 8 PARTY*
• Arbor Villa, 66th Terrace and Main St. (OPENS JUNE 10)
• Ashland, 23rd and Elmwood streets (OPENS JUNE 10)
• Gillham, 41st and Gillham streets (OPENS JUNE 10)
• West Terrace, 16th and Jarboe streets (OPENS JUNE 10)
• KCMO “Spraygrounds” - Douglas Park, 2632 Jarboe St. - Harmony Park, 10th Street and Agnes - Longview Park, 7101 Longview Road (Closed Mondays) - Loose Park, 52nd Terrace and Summit - Parade Park, The Paseo and Truman Road - Sunnyside Park, 8255 Summit (Closed Mondays)

Five of the above KCMO “major” swim complexes will host FREE SUMMER SWIM PARTIES ON SELECT TUESDAYS FROM 5-7 pm! These are presented by Children’s Mercy Family Health Partners, KCWE Channel 29 and the KC Parks and Recreation Department. For hours and additional information on classes and parties, call 816.513.7500.

Shawnee, KS

• Splash Cove at Jim Allen Aquatic Center, 5800 King, 913.631.7177
• Thomas A. Saetaert Aquatic Center, 13805 Johnson Drive, 913.631.0054

Lenexa, KS

• Ad Astra Pool, 83rd and Maurer, 913.492.SWIM
• Flat Rock Creek Pool, 103rd and Hauser, 913.888.3202
• Indian Trails Aquatic Center, 87th and Greenway Lane, 913.888.4659

Independence, MO and Blue Springs, MO

• Adventure Oasis Water Park, 23rd Street just west of 291 Hwy., 816.325.7843
• Water playgrounds to cool off: 24 Hwy/N. Delaware and 24th & Hardy streets
• Blue Springs Centennial Pool Plex, 2401 W. Ashton Drive, 816.228.0188

Liberty, MO

• Liberty Community Center, 1600 S. Withers Rd.
• Spraygrounds at: Ruth Moore Park, 401 N. Morse and City Park, 970 S. Highway 291

Gladstone, MO

• Municipal Pool, Central Park, 69th & North Holmes, 816.436.2200

KCI Area/Platte County, MO

• Park Hill Aquatic Center, 8152 N. Congress Ave., 816.741.7963
• Springs Aquatic Center at Tiffany Hills Park, 9700 N. Congress, 816.880.0733
• Riverside Municipal Pool, 4498 NW High Drive, 816.741.3993

KC, KS

• Parkwood Pool, 950 Quindaro Blvd, 913.551.0402
• Spray Parks to cool off: Eisenhower Park, 2901 N. 72nd St., and Pierson Park, 1800 S. 55th St.

Also, if you’re looking for a break from the sun, don’t forget about the newly-opened CoCoKey Resort, located in the Sheraton Kansas City Sports Complex! Day passes can be purchased if you aren’t planning on spending the night at the hotel. The same holds true for Great Wolf Lodge in KCK. When it’s just too hot outside, bring the waterpark IN!

April has nearly come to a close and the inevitable discussion is probably getting ready to happen–if not between you and your spouse, then between you and your child(ren)! “Where are we going on vacation this summer? And when?” Given the rising costs of EVERYTHING– specifically food, shelter, clothing, gasoline and fun–we figured that our readers would benefit from a small series of articles containing information and ideas on quick weekend getaways from the Kansas City area.

I will preface this series by saying that loads of fun can be had for not a lot of money. Article #1 will highlight just that–the “weekend getaway” will be in town! One doesn’t have to look far to realize that there is so much to see and do with your family right here in KC. Just check out all of the links to various places on this site alone! Try thinking outside the box a bit, outside your normal comfort zone. Never taken your family to The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art? You might be amazed at how much your “non-artistic” children love it! (Have you seen the stunning new Bloch Building addition?!?) Incorporate a walk along Brush Creek and check out the fountains throughout the Country Club Plaza.

Two recent in-town “vacations” we had were at the Great Wolf Lodge (see our previous post dated 4/17/08), and the Sheraton Overland Park. Our night at the Sheraton was filled with swimming, ordering room service, riding up and down the elevators, opening and closing the door to our room with the electronic keycard and watching a movie! These things which we may consider mundane are ABSOLUTELY THRILLING for a kid! Many local hotels and motels even offer weekend-getaway packages for in-town guests.

Since we’re on the topic of fun nights at the Sheraton, (I promise, this isn’t a paid plug!) I thought I should mention the new water park (opening in May) located at the Sheraton Kansas City Sports Complex. If you’ve already done the Great Wolf Lodge, or want to hop on I-70 and head east, this would be a great option! You’ll want to check out CoCo Key Resort’s website. It looks fabulous! The hotel is even advertising Opening Weekend rates from $139/room.

We’ve already mentioned the upcoming Jiggle Jam, coming to Crown Center Square May 24-25. You could probably spend two days taking it all in…and the nearby Hyatt Regency and Westin Crown Center hotels are featuring special Jiggle Jam rates. This happens to be Memorial Weekend…what a great excuse to get away!

Everyone needs a change in scenery and a break from the same-old every once in a while, even children. Plan an inexpensive night or two away, in town, and you might include trying out a new restaurant, visiting a museum or shopping off your beaten path. You’ll be amazed, not to mention refreshed! And your wallet will thank you.

Check back soon…in article #2 in the Weekend Getaway Series we’ll actually hit the road! We’re going to Omaha!!

We had our first visit to Great Wolf Lodge (The Legends, KCK) over the weekend and I have to say we had a ball! The weather couldn’t have been better (for being inside, that is…freezing cold, windy and even some flurries) and we were ready to get out of the house. My husband and I, along with our 6-year-old son and his friend, stayed in one of the “Wolf Den Cabins” which was really fun for the kids. There was a full-sized bed, in-room microwave, refrigerator, and the highlight was the Wolf Den itself–a bunk bed enclosed in its own ‘forest’ with a kid-sized television inside. There was even a Nintendo available for rental. As surprising as it sounds, we actually used it at the end of the day when the kids were completely exhausted from the waterpark.

The waterpark itself was awesome. Lots of slides, buckets, fountains, etc. I have to admit, it was total chaos in there. It was more of a ‘vacation’ for the kids and a ‘trip’ for the parents if you know what I mean! My husband and I were exhausted by the time we checked out. It’s constant noise, watching kids near the water, fun, swimming, snacks, and did I already say constantly watching the kids?!?!

Although we didn’t get to venture outside, it looked like there was lots to do when the weather gets warmer. It was a terrific weekend. It was a little on the pricey side, but we were lucky enough to have a gift card that my parents had given us for Christmas. **Early Christmas suggestion–when asked, “What do you want for Christmas this year?” suggest that your family members to go in on a gift card to Great Wolf Lodge. We really appreciated it, and we’ll always have the memories!