For third and final year, Philadelphia opens public pools with private money

For one more season, public pools in Philadelphia are open thanks to private donations. 

Mayor Michael Nutter donned bathing trunks and jumped into the Mander Recreation Center pool at 33rd and Diamond to kick off the public swim season in Philadelphia. Recreation Commissioner Sue Slawson said the city is gradually opening all 70 pools thanks to a fund-raising campaign that brought in $600,000.

“We’re excited again this year as a result of so many people recognizing the need here in Philadelphia, this corporate-private partnership has been phenomenal. 70 pools will open this year, that’s all the pools in our system,” said Slawson.

Deputy Mayor Michael DiBerardinis oversees the Department of Parks and Recreation. He said the pools are a safe haven for children.

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“Every child every family has a chance to recreate in this way to to swim to picnic to enjoy our system,” said DiBerardinis.

After keeping the pools open for three years with private money, the city plans to pay for it starting next summer.

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