KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Swimming pools and splash parks will open for the summer this weekend, but some communities across the metro are struggling to hire enough lifeguards.

The number of lifeguards available may impact where — and when — you will be able to dive in for a day of fun when the weather gets warmer.

Find out below where each city stands and when pools and sprayparks will open. (View pools and parks in Missouri)

Kansas

LAWRENCE

The Lawrence Parks and Rec Department said the Outdoor Aquatic Center will open for the season on Monday, June 6, through Sunday, Aug. 14. Hours will be:

• Monday-Friday 6:30-9 a.m.: Swim Teams
• Monday-Friday 1-7:30 p.m.: Recreational Swim w/ Lap Lanes available
• Saturday and Sunday 1-6 p.m.: Recreational Swim w/ Lap Lanes available

The South Park Wading Pool will open Wednesday, June 1, through Saturday, July 30. Hours will be:

• Monday-Friday: 1-7 p.m.
• Saturday: 1-6 p.m.
• Sunday: Closed

Starting June 6, the Indoor Aquatic Center will have reduced hours for the summer season. Find more information here.

Daily admission at both aquatic centers for kids 3-17 and adults 60 and older is $5; adults 18-59 are $6. There’s no charge for children two years old and younger with an adult paid admission. 

Thirty-day passes cost $30, and annual passes are $250 per person. Both of these work at any Lawrence Parks and Rec Department aquatics facility. See more discount options here.

LENEXA

Lenexa plans to open all three outdoor swimming pools this summer on May 28.

Ad Astra Pool, near 83rd Street and Maurer Road, will have the following hours:

• Monday through Saturday: noon to 7:30 p.m.
• Sunday: noon to 6 p.m.

There are a few days where Ad Astra Pool will close early for swim meets. The pool will close for the season on July 31.

Flat Rock Creek Pool, located near 103rd Street and Pflumm Road, will be open daily from noon to 7:30 p.m. and close for the season on July 31.

There will also be a “Splash with Me” session for kids 5 and younger Monday through Friday from 10-11:30 a.m. Lap swimming will be available at the same time.

Indian Trails Aquatic Center, located in Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, will be open from May 28 through Sept. 5 with the following hours:

• May 28–Aug. 7: noon to 7:30 p.m.
• Aug. 8–Sept. 5
  • Friday: 4-7:30 p.m.
  • Saturday–Sunday: noon to 7:30 p.m.
  • Sept. 5: noon to 6 p.m.

Ad Astra and Flat Rock Creek pools cost $5 for residents, $7 for nonresidents and $1 for adults 60 and older. Kids 2 and younger are free. The aquatic center costs $6 for residents, $8 for nonresidents and $1 for those 60 and older.

The city said its hired enough lifeguards for the season, but does have a few openings still if anyone is looking for a summer job.

MERRIAM

The city’s outdoor pool will open Memorial Day Weekend and run normally this summer. The indoor pool at the community center is open throughout the year with various hours. Open swim begins at noon.

Admission to the pool is free for members. Day passes will cost:

• Resident/Member Guest
  • $9 Adult
  • $7 Youth/Senior 
• Non-Resident
  • $11 Adult
  • $9 Youth/Senior

The city of Merriam said it’s adequately staffed, but would still like to hire another 10 life guards before Memorial Day.

The city is also planning several fun events including early morning outdoor lap swimming, a pool birthday party to celebrate the Merriam Community Center, an outdoor swim movie night where we will feature The Sandlot, and a cardboard Regatta boat race.

For more information on the events visit Merriam’s Aquatics Center website.

MISSION

The city’s splashpad and pool at Mission Family Aquatic Center will open Memorial Day Weekend from May 28 through Sept. 5 with reduced hours in August and September and closed from Aug. 8-12.

Summer hours will be noon to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday; noon to 6 p.m. Sunday; and noon to 6 p.m. on Fourth of July and Labor Day. From Aug. 13 through Sept. 4, the pool will only be open on Saturdays and Sunday.

Admission at MFAC is $7 for an individual and free for kids 2 and under.

The parks and rec department will offer a new exclusive lunch lap swim from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday through Friday. Lunch lap swim begins June 15.

The splashpad is available free of charge before the MFAC opens, Monday through Friday from 9-11:30 a.m. and is included with admission to the aquatic center.

When the aquatic center is on reduced hours in August and September, the splash pad will be open and free from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and included with MFAC admission during the center’s hours.

OVERLAND PARK

Lifeguard shortages mean just three of the city’s five outdoor pools will open this summer, starting on May 29.

The city has enough trained lifeguards to staff Young’s Pool, Stonegate Pool and Tomahawk Ridge Aquatic Center. The indoor pools at Matt Ross Community Center are also open year-round.

All three outdoor pools will be open daily from noon to 7 p.m. Admission is $6 for Overland Park residents and $7 non-residents.

The city is currently working to hire additional lifeguards. Anyone interested can apply online.

PRAIRIE VILLAGE

Lifeguards have been hired in Prairie Village, and the staff is ready for opening day, according to the city.

Prairie Village plans to open its pool May 28 and operate normally all summer.

• 2022 Pool Hours
  • Pool Complex (all pools): Noon to 8 p.m., daily
  • Concession Stand: Noon to 7 p.m., daily
  • Adults Only Lap Lanes: 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., daily

A full schedule can be found on the city’s website.

ROELAND PARK

The city said it will open the season as it did in 2021, with the Roeland Park Aquatic Center open four days a week.

If the city is able to hire enough life guards, it will then shift and open pools either five or seven days a week.

Pools will open May 28 through Sept. 10. Schedules differ for main summer months and the end of the season.

• May 28 – Aug. 10
  • Monday, Wednesday, Friday: Closed
  • Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday: Noon to 8 p.m.
  • Sunday: Noon to 6 p.m.
• End of season
  • Monday, Wednesday, Friday: Closed
  • Tuesday, Thursday: 4-7 p.m.
  • Saturday, Sunday: Noon to 6 p.m.

Daily admission for residents is $6 and $8 for nonresidents. Children 2 and under are free. Punch cards and season passes are also available.

SHAWNEE

Pools in Shawnee will open to the public May 28. The city said it has enough lifeguards to safely staff pools, but is still hiring.

The Thomas A. Soetaert Aquatic Center will have the following hours May 28 through Aug. 7 and different hours for end of season.

• Baby Pool
  • Monday through Friday 10:30 a.m. to noon, starting May 31
• Open Swim
  • Monday through Friday 12:30-8 p.m.
  • Saturday, Sunday: 12:30-6 p.m.
  • Holiday Hours: 12:30-5 p.m.
• Twilight Hours (1/2 price admission)
  • Monday through Friday 6-8 p.m.

• Open Swim (Aug. 8-Sept. 5)
  • Monday through Friday 5-8 p.m.
  • Saturday, Sunday 12:30-6 p.m.
• Twilight Hours (1/2 price admission)
  • Monday through Friday 6-8 p.m.

The Splash Cove at the Jim Allen Aquatic Center will be open through Aug. 7 under the following hours:

• Baby Pool (Ages 7 and under)
  • Monday through Saturday 10:30 a.m. to noon, starting May 31
• Open Swim
  • Monday through Friday 12:30-8 p.m.
  • Saturday, Sunday 12:30-6 p.m.

The Erfurt Park Splash Pad is open for the season, and the Wilder Bluff Splash Pad will open soon. The city will post updates online and on social media with updates. Splash pads are open 7 days per week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Missouri

INDEPENDENCE

Adventure Oasis will open May 28, as long as the weather permits, with the following hours:

• Monday through Friday: Noon to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Sunday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Holidays 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The park will only be open to Independence residents or students who live in Independence but have school IDs from the Independence, Blue Springs, Fort Osage, or Raytown School Districts.

Day passes are available for $9. Passes for youth and seniors are cheaper. Season passes are also available for $75 a person.

People who buy single-day tickets or passes will be required to provide proof of residency with a driver’s license or school ID.

The city of Independence said it continues to hire for lifeguards at this time. Applicants can apply for openings online.

JACKSON COUNTY

Jackson County said it will only open one of its swimming beaches this summer.

The swimming area at Longview Beach will open over Memorial Day Weekend, but the beach at Blue Springs Lake will not be open.

Jackson County said it hopes to be able to open Blue Springs Lake later this summer.

KANSAS CITY

The Kansas City Parks Department has not released any pool plans for the summer.

This area will be updated with that information when we receive it.

LIBERTY

Liberty’s Parks and Rec said it has enough trained lifeguards to open its outdoor pool at the Liberty Community Center this summer. Opening day is May 28.

Outdoor pool hours of operation:

• May 28 through Aug. 23
  • Monday through Saturday: Noon to 8 p.m. 
  • Sundays, Memorial Day and July 4: Noon to 6 p.m.
• Aug. 24 through Sept. 5, 2022
  • Closed weekdays 
  • Saturday: Noon to 8 p.m. 
  • Sundays and Labor Day: Noon to 6 p.m. 

The city plans to open its new sprayground at City Park at 10 a.m. May 28. Other spraygrounds will also open as scheduled on May 28.

LEE’S SUMMIT

Summit Waves water park in Lee’s Summit will open for the season May 28, weather permitting, through Aug. 23. Hours of operation are:

• Monday through Friday: Noon to 7 p.m.
• Saturday and Sunday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Holidays: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Single day admission is $9 for Lee’s Summit residents and $12 all others. Children age 3 and under are free. Season passes are currently on sale.