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After nearly a month of false starts and almost-daily rainstorms, summer has finally arrived in the city, bringing with it sky-high temperatures and a dose of gagging humidity.
It’s enough to make you want to jump in a pool — something the neighbors of Barry Playground, 18th and Johnston streets, and Murphy Recreation Center, Fourth and Shunk, are finally able to do again.
Both pools were closed for most or all of last summer due to repairs and renovations, leaving area youngsters without a respite from the heat. (Those little inflatable pools on the sidewalk just don’t seem to cut it.)
But this summer, the swim is on.
"Oh, it’s been great so far," said John Giargiari, recreation supervisor at Murphy. "We opened up last Thursday, and the community just loves it."
So many young swimmers rushed in on opening day that Murphy decided to forgo its usual mandate of the separate boys’ and girls’ day.
"We still keep them on alternating days, but for that first day we figured, why not? And you know what? The kids had a great time," Giargiari said.
The bottom of Murphy’s pool was redone last summer; the deepest part is now only 4 feet, 9 inches.
The return to the water also has meant a return to good times for the staff of Alicia’s Homemade Water Ice, across the street from Murphy.
"Last year was really rough," said Jaime Fiocca, whose grandmother owns Alicia’s. "We were hardly doing anything without the kids being here. Since they opened last week, though, we’ve been doing pretty steady business."
Running back toward the pool with water ice in hand, 11-year-old Christina McGoldrick said she was glad 2002’s pool drought was long gone.
While the kids may be enjoying the opportunity to splash around with their friends again, some parents are even happier.
"My kids were driving me crazy last year when Barry was closed for renovations," said Marianne Cavallaro, of the 2700 block of South 18th Street. "I am very, very pleased to see that they’re open this year."
Barry underwent a full facelift, which included the addition of new lifeguard towers, a new filtration system, a handicapped-assistance seat and lane lines at the pool’s bottom.
"It’s great — the kids have something to do again!" said Valerie Cattai, of 16th and Moyamensing. "I just wish they’d keep it coed everyday. It’s not like anything happens."
Like Murphy, Barry keeps a schedule of alternating swim days for boys and girls. Also like Murphy, Barry opened last week to a coed audience, which won rave reviews with some of the youths.
"The boys-and-girls mix was really nice," said 12-year-old Alessia Cacliante, of the 2500 block of South Ninth Street. "I had a really great time and so did my friends."
Parents and kids alike will have to wait a while longer before canon-balling into Herron Pool at American and Reed streets. The pool is closed indefinitely for repairs.
But sun worshippers can still cool off at Chew Pool, 19th and Washington; Ford Pool, Seventh and Snyder; Sacks Pool, Fourth and Washington; Anderson Pool, 17th and Fitzwater; and Vare Pool, 26th and Morris, all of which are open for the summer.
Keeping it cool
The mercury has risen — and no, you can’t go under the fireplug.
The Philadelphia Water Department offers a list of alternatives to opening fire hydrants during the sticky summer season. Here’s a sampling:
* Take a dip in one of the city’s 81 public swimming pools. (South Philly’s functioning pools are listed in the story above.)
* Pay a visit to Fairmount Park (the closer-to-home version is FDR Park) and its host of playgrounds, trails, baseball fields, tennis and basketball courts and public golf courses.
* Unwind at one of the city’s 15 YMCAs.
* Have a day of fun and food with a neighborhood block party.
* Go to the Academy of Natural Sciences or the Franklin Institute for entertaining learning experiences — and stay for the air conditioning.
* If you’re at least 16 and possess a fishing license, head back to Fairmount Park/FDR and dangle some bait in the waters.
* Join one of the summer reading games at any of the city’s 54 Free Library branches.
* Join the Boys & Girls Club of Philadelphia for day camps.
* Share in the humidity with fascinating and exotic animals from around the world at the Philadelphia Zoo.
* Join the mayor’s Anti-Graffiti Network and help beautify the city.
* Try biking or canoeing and learn the joys of summer exercise.
* There are 151 recreation centers in Philadelphia. Visit one.
* Youths ages 6-18 can participate in sports and other activities at one of the 23 Police Athletic League centers in Philly.
* Take a guided nature tour in the woods. (Yes, there are woods in the city!)
* Attend one of the summer-long music and cultural events at Penn’s Landing; many are free.
—by David Gambacorta
