Park offers pool and more

Anyone who thinks the beach is Port Aransas' only water

feature hasn't visited

the 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.

A new climbing wall has been added in the deep end of the pool to test the abilities of young and old alike. Climbers who reach the 3-meter height can enjoy a tumble into the refreshing water, knowing they have "scaled the heights".

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.

The Port Aransas Skate Complex features a 45-footby 45-foot concrete skateboard area with durable skate-lite quarter pipes at the south end of the park. There is also an in-line skate rink (140 feet by 70 feet) suitable for a leisurely family skate or for a friendly game of roller hockey, complete with goals and dasher boards. Currently there is no organized league but local hockey players have been meeting at the rink on Sunday afternoons for a pickup game or two. Players and spectators are welcome to come by and join in the fun.

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.