Author Archives: Kali Morgan

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About Kali Morgan

Kali Morgan is a volunteer community cook

Wrapping up the 2026 season

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The newly reopened Amos pool, which just saw its first splash at the end of July after seven years dry, will stay open through Labor Day (Monday, September 7th), as will Hunting Park, Kelly, Max Myers, and Samuel. See full list of pool closing dates here: https://www.phila.gov/2026-08-14-2026-philadelphia-public-pool-closings-schedule

In spite of weather challenges, it’s been a nice season with expanded aqua fitness offerings, led by amazing new and returning teachers (hats off to Miko, Shannon, Vonda, Monica, Holly, Marvette, and Ms. Nancy). Additionally, it was great seeing pools that have been closed for multiple years reopen for Summer 2026.

Free Aqua Zumba classes at Max Myers and Samuel will continue through 8/28, and Mander‘s noon time water aerobics continues through 8/29. Get some water wellness while you still can!

Amos Pool, newly reopened after seven years, will remain open until Labor Day.

August 12 – This is the last scheduled week for aqua fitness classes. In a perfect world, that would mean that this week’s classes could all happen. But it’s not that simple.

Some of the aqua fitness pools are closing before the end of the week, resulting in class cancellations for Saturday at Simpson and Sunday at Penrose. (Miko is offering a Sunday bonus class at Max Myers if you would still like to attend a final class with her this weekend.) Additionally, some or all pools are closing early today for lifeguard appreciation parties, and therefore today’s scheduled Aqua Zumba class at Max Myers will be canceled (as well as maybe the scheduled Thursday classes at Lackman and Stinger).

A couple of teachers are trying to extend the season until their respective pools officially close. As a result of their efforts, there may (or may not) be fitness classes at Mander, Max Myers and/or Samuel next week. Stay tuned for more more information… I will update this post as I learn more.

Aqua Zumba and Water Aerobics 2026

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It can be hard to track the awesome (when they happen and when you know about them) adult aqua fitness classes offered by the Philly Department of Health in cooperation with Parks and Recreation.

I got the schedule sent to me early this season and shared on social, but still folks don’t seem to have the info, so here it all is! Scroll down for daily schedule with links to pools.

Mondays:
12-1pm
Mander Water Aerobics with Nancy (North Philly)
6-7pm
Ridgway Aqua Zumba with Monica (South Philly)
Mitchell Aqua Zumba with Marvette (Northeast Philly)
Sample Aqua Zumba (West Philly)

Tuesdays:
6-7pm
Max Myers Aqua Zumba with Miko (Northeast Philly)
Pleasant Aqua Zumba with Shannon (Northwest Philly)
Awbury Aqua Zumba with Monica (Northwest Philly)
Tustin Aqua Zumba (West Philly)

Wednesdays:
12-1pm
Mander Aqua Fit with Nancy (North Philly)
6-7pm
FJ Myers Aqua Zumba with Vondra (West Philly)
Zeihler Aqua Zumba with Monica (Northeast Philly)
Fox Chase Aqua Zumba with Holly (Northeast Philly)

Thursdays:
6-7pm
Max Myers Aqua Zumba with Miko (Northeast Philly)
Lackman Aqua Zumba with Holly (Northeast Philly)
Stinger Aqua Zumba (South Philly)

Fridays:
12-1pm
Mander Aqua Fitness with Nancy (North Philly)
6-7pm
Lee Aqua Zumba with Vondra (West Philly)
Samuel Aqua Zumba with Miko (Northeast Philly)
Sample Aqua Zumba (West Philly)

Saturdays:
12-1pm
Mander Aqua Fit with Nancy (North Philly)
Simpson Aqua Zumba with Miko (Northeast Philly)
Pleasant Aqua Zumba with Shannon (Northwest Philly)
1-2pm
Mitchell Aqua Zumba with Marvette (Northeast Philly)

Sundays:
12-1pm
Penrose Aqua Zumba with Miko (North Philly)

New Developments for Indoor Public Swimming: Sayre Pool Update and Survey

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It’s a new year, and there are some new year-round public pool developments on the West Philadelphia horizon, although they will be a few years in the making.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LZZ7SRF



In November, I learned through Philly Public Pools Instagram about a meeting related to reopening the Sayre Pool, a drained indoor pool in a building owned by the School District but managed as a City Department of Parks and Recreation recreation center, near 59th and Spruce Streets.


Although I took karate classes in that facility in the late 1980s with a roommate’s daughter, I’d never visited or really been aware of the pool (though I do have memories of its chlorine smell).

The local community is devoted to Sayre and has felt the pain of its absence since it was closed by the City in 2017 due to massive building issues caused by a leaking roof. Prior to its closure, Sayre Pool hosted dozens of community classes and services. Residents from the neighborhood and beyond used the facility every day. These Sayre Pool enthusiasts now use other community (but not public) pools in other parts of the city where they have followed their favorite Sayre lifeguards and instructors. Following a former Sayre lifeguard who taught fitness classes at Mill Creek this past summer is how I met many of these folks, who I continue to work out with in Northwest because they no longer have access to the Sayre Pool.

At the November community meeting at Sayre-Morris Rec Center, hosted by City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, School District consultants unveiled a plan to completely redesign the small recreation center building and its beloved, long-closed pool. The ~100 neighbors attending were very excited by the prospect, although some expressed concern that the building is too small and that they were hoping for expansion, or at least for the renovations to also include repairs to the neglected playground and other outdoor sections of the property. Representatives from the School District and City Council took notes on the conversations between community members and the architects/designers who will be drawing the plans for this extensive project.

NEXT STEP: ACTION NEEDED
This week, the Council office sent a follow up to all attendees of the November meeting asking for help circulating a survey that will collect responses until February 4.

It is vital that interested parties complete this survey now, and share it with other neighbors, swimmers and public pool supporters!

Keep an eye on this blog and the Philly Public Pools Instagram for information about other upcoming meetings.

The grand finale: Ending the 2024 season

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Greetings gentle readers.

I am the new kid on this blog, and I am still — at the very tail end of the season — attempting to compile the records of my visits to over 70 public pools this summer in an effort to present as complete a picture as one person who spent 5-15 minutes in each pool can provide. My apologies for how long it’s taking. I hope that my research will benefit next summer’s Philly swimmers since there’s been a lag in me compiling all of the information. I am thankful for so much guidance from my many friends and fellow waterbugs on Facebook who cheered me on and asked lots of questions.

The big question I am getting right now, as we as we dive into Labor Day weekend and our final chances to get wet in the free outdoor public pools, is: “Which pools are still open?”

Photo of Philadelphia Inquirer article listing pools that are open this last week of August
Philadelphia Inquirer listing of pools to visit this Labor Day weekend (without the online paywall)

Here is the 2024 season closing schedule, which is much more accurate than the City’s Department of Parks and Recreation Pool Finder. As of today, the Pool Finder indicates that most of the pools are “open regular schedule.” (For most of July, this same site indicated that each pool was “closed to the public,” even though they were open.) I did fill out the feedback form to advise the City web team of this issue. In the meantime, the 2024 season closing schedule does seem to be correct (though note that Shuler Pool is only open 12-4pm and has no adult swim). I hope that maybe some of you can join me for some final waterplay. I will be at Max Myers for Aqua Zumba tonight at 6pm and Saturday at 12pm. Maybe I will see you there?