Chill out at community park pool

Adult and youth programs are offered at the park's pool. The beach isn't the only playground in Port Aransas. Port Aransas Community Park has a public swimming pool, baseball fields and more.

To get there from the ferry landing, turn right onto Cut-off Road, then another right on Ross Avenue. The park's address is 700 Clark Parkway.

The park's 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 shaded picnic area.

The pool offers open-swim hours from 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and water exercise classes from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. Tuesday through Friday. Lap swim only is available from noon to 1 p.m. and shared lap swimming is open from 1 p.m. to close on Saturday and Sunday. The pool is closed on Monday.

Swimmers under 2 years old are admitted free. Swimmers who are in the age bracket between 2 and 18 are admitted for $1; 19 to 59 years are charged $2 admission; and those who are 60 and older are charged $1.

The pool offers lots of cool summertime fun. The park also contains a jogging trail, three ball fields, a soccer field, play area and picnic pavilion. The jogging trail, for running or walking, is pet friendly. There are pet stations around the park to discard man's best friend's outdoor deposits.

The long trail is a 1.1-mile course. The short trail is just under a halfmile long.

A tee-ball field lies 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 next to the fields.

The larger baseball field doubles as a soccer field.

A large concrete slab for roller skating is also a feature at the park. Pickup in-line hockey games sometimes are played.

The park also includes a pocket skate park with several wooden ramps. City officials are planning to greatly expand the skate area with construction of concrete bowls and other skater favorites. The new features could be finished by Christmas, according to Dave Parsons, the city's planning and projects manager.

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.