The last of Philadelphia’s 70 outdoor public pools closed for the season a month ago today. Many of them were drained well before.

Like any organization, the City of Philadelphia Department of Parks and Recreation (which runs the pools) has its quirks and dysfunctions. And I know that the pools cause some of the people tasked with overseeing them a lot of stress. Handling the public. Dealing with packs of temporary and mainly younger staff. Most of all trying to avoid tragedies, like the drowning of seven-year-old Jabriel O’Connor at Cobbs Creek in July, may he rest in peace.

But from my vantage point, Philly’s public pools are golden, magical summer places, and I can’t wait til they reopen in June.