Pool is pride of community park

A nyone who thinks the beach is Port Aransas' only water feature hasn't visited the

Lifeguards keep a close watch on swimmers at the Port Aransas Community Park swimming pool. swimming pool in Community

Park.

Of course, the Gulf of Mexico is open 24 hours a day. But the pool offers lounge chairs and benches, shade, showers, lockers, and poolside cubbyholes where you can keep your towel and shoes safe.

Vending machines line the picnic area, which is shaded.

The pool offers open-swim hours from 1- 6 p.m. Tuesday Sunday and exercise classes four days a week. Lap swimming is available all day. Lap Swim Only is 7:30- 8:30 a.m. and 12 noon - 1 p.m. Tuesday thru Friday and 12 noon - 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The pool is closed on Monday.

The pool is the crown jewel of Port Aransas Community Park, but it's by no means the only activity there. The park also contains a jogging trail, three ball fields, a soccer field, play area and picnic pavilion - the activities are as limited as your imagination.

"There is always something going on around here," Gary Mysorski, Parks and Recreation director, said.

The jogging trail, for running or walking, is pet friendly. There are pet stations around the park to discard man's best friend's worst little feature.

The long trail is a 1.1-mile course. Anyone who walks this one can say they walked over a mile!

The short trail is just under a half-mile at .46.

A tee-ball field sits next to the two baseball fields. These fields are used for little league and high school baseball games. A concession stand and separate restrooms are located conveniently to the fields.

The larger baseball field doubles as a soccer field.

Schedules are subject to change, so be sure to call ahead to confirm. The swimming pool number is 749-2416. For more information on activities, events and facilities go to www. cityofportaransas.org.