As the temperature rises and school children become restless, a good place to find reprieve from the heat is at the local swimming pool.

In South DeKalb, six county pools — Lithonia, Mark Trail, Midway, Wade-Walker, Gresham, and Murphy Candler — will open May 27. Countywide, the 12 pools operated by the DeKalb Parks and Recreation Department will see hundreds of visitors during the summer and most will stay open through Aug. 4.

Kids accompanied by adults can splash around most pools from noon to 5:30 p.m. Sunday through Saturday. The pools are open an extra hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

An annual pool pass is $45 per person. Children 2 years old and under are free. Those ages 3 to 17 pay $2 a day, and adults 18 and older pay $3 a day. Besides swim and dive lessons, structured water games, and sports, wading in the water is a good way for kids to get exercise while they pass the afternoon.

Children ages 5 to 18 can compete on swim teams at all of the county's pools for a fee of $50. Non-DeKalb residents pay $70.

New and non- swimmers can take swim lessons for $40. Classes are offered in three sessions between June 19 and August 3 for beginning, intermediate, and advanced swimmers.

Pool spaces can be rented for groups for birthday parties and other celebrations seven days a week. Prices vary depending on the size of the party, pool location and time. For more information on how to rent pool space, call 678-937-8921.

In May, the DeKalb Health Department will begin their annual inspection of seasonal swimming pools and beaches in subdivisions and communities throughout the county. These pools will continually be inspected monthly until Labor Day.

For more information, visit www.co.dekalb.ga.us/parks or call 678-937-8925.

Never too late for pool safety

While spending the day at the swimming pool can be fun and exciting for youngsters, it can also be dangerous if proper precaution is not taken.

Here are a few general pool safety tips to keep everyone safe and happy.


• Swim only in areas supervised by a lifeguard.
• Read and obey all posted rules at each pool.
• The American Red Cross advises parents to be on the lookout for the "dangerous too's" — too tired, too cold, too far from safety, too much sun, too much strenuous activity.
• Never, ever swim under the influence of alcohol. Alcohol impairs judgment, balance, coordination, and affects swimming and diving skills, and reduces the body's ability to stay warm.
• Learn CPR and insist that anyone caring for or watching your child does the same.
• Don't rely on water flotation devices or inflatable toys to substitute for parental or adult supervision.

Lithonia Pool

2501 Park Drive, Lithonia

770-484-3054

Mark Trail Pool

2230 Tilson Road, Decatur

404-244-4938

Midway Pool

3181 Midway Road, Decatur

404-286-3313

Wade Walker Park

5584 Rockbridge Road, Stone Mtn.

770-879-3462

Gresham Pool

3113 Gresham Road, Atlanta,

404-244-4966

Murphey Candler

1536 W. Nancy Creek Drive, Atlanta

770-936-5468