Municipal pools offer important benefits to urban residents, but some cities are struggling to keep them open.
Public pools are an important amenity for many urban communities, providing opportunities to cool off on hot summer days and learn life-saving swimming skills. But for many cities, the cost of maintenance is too much, reports Karen Kroll in Smart Cities Dive.
“Growing expenses for operations, staffing and maintenance have led to pool closures: Pittsburgh currently operates 15 outdoor public pools, about half the number it had in the past,” while Cincinnati is down to 24 public pools from roughly 44 two decades ago.
Most cities keep admittance costs low to ensure residents can afford the pools, but this revenue generally fails to cover operating costs. “Along with the cost of maintaining the swimming pools themselves, budgeting for the cost of lifeguards and other employees can be daunting.”
Some cities are turning to splash pads are other more economical options to provide cooling and community spaces, while some are opting to keep pools open all year to offer year-round employment.
FULL STORY: Municipal pools are popular, but they come at a price for cities
City Parks as Cooling Centers
Strategies for making parks cool, inviting community cooling centers during extreme heat.
Record Temperatures Prompt Push for Environmental Justice Bills
Nevada legislators are proposing laws that would mandate heat mitigation measures to protect residents from the impacts of extreme heat.
New York Law Addresses Extreme Heat in Schools
The law calls for heat mitigation measures when temperatures exceed 88 degrees.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process
The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.
Renters Now Outnumber Homeowners in Over 200 US Suburbs
High housing costs in city centers and the new-found flexibility offered by remote work are pushing more renters to suburban areas.
The Tiny, Adorable $7,000 Car Turning Japan Onto EVs
The single seat Mibot charges from a regular plug as quickly as an iPad, and is about half the price of an average EV.
Supreme Court Ruling in Pipeline Case Guts Federal Environmental Law
The decision limits the scope of a federal law that mandates extensive environmental impact reviews of energy, infrastructure, and transportation projects.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
City of Mt Shasta
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)