ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – As the school year draws to a close, the City of St. Petersburg is gearing up for a summer packed with engaging, affordable, and safety-conscious programs for children and families.
Officials today announced a slate of initiatives, including swim lessons, youth safety events, reading programs, and expanded public pool access, to ensure a fun summer for St. Pete’s youngest residents.
The comprehensive summer plan prioritizes child safety, particularly water safety, in a state that consistently sees high rates of unintentional drowning.
Prioritizing Safety with “Learn to Swim” and “Safe Summer Fridays”
The popular Learn to Swim Program, hosted by the Parks & Recreation Department, will return to all City pool locations in June. Designed for children aged 6 months and up, as well as adults, the program aims to impart essential water safety skills. Five sessions will be offered throughout the summer, each comprising eight 30-to-45-minute classes led by certified American Red Cross instructors. The cost is $39 per session, with financial assistance available for qualifying families. Registration and further details can be found at www.stpeteparksrec.org/swimlessons or by visiting any City pool.
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Building on efforts to provide secure environments for older youth, Safe Summer Fridays will also make a comeback. These events offer a supervised space for teens aged 12-16 to enjoy open gym sessions, movie nights, games, and refreshments, while also educating families on violence prevention. A Safe Summer Kickoff event is scheduled for Saturday, May 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Campbell Park Recreation Center (601 14th St. S). Subsequent Friday events will run from 6-11 p.m. at various recreation centers:
- June 6 & 20: Campbell Park Recreation Center
- July 11 & 25: Lake Vista Recreation Center (1401 62nd Ave. S)
- August 1: Childs Park Recreation Center (4301 13th Ave. S) Additional dates and locations may be announced; updates will be available at
www.stpete.org/safesummer.
Making a Splash: Pools Open for Summer Fun
St. Pete’s seasonal neighborhood pools are set to open for Memorial Day weekend, May 24-26, before officially kicking off the summer season on Friday, May 31. Evening hours will commence on Friday, June 6. Locations like Childs Park Pool, Fossil Park Pool, and Jennie Hall Pool will offer various afternoon and evening swim times. Year-round facilities, including E.H. McLin Pool, North Shore Aquatic Complex, and Walter Fuller Pool, will also maintain robust schedules.
Admission to neighborhood pools is $1 for children (3-12) and $2 for those 13 and older. The North Shore Aquatic Complex charges $4.50 for children and $5 for older patrons. Special “$1 Splash Days” will be held on Memorial Day and the Fourth of July at all City pools. For a complete list of locations and operating hours, visit www.stpeteparksrec.org/pools.
Enrichment Through Reading and Nutrition
The St. Petersburg Library System invites readers of all ages to “Color Our World” with its free Summer Reading Program, running from May 31 through August 2. A kickoff event, where participants can collect a Summer Programming Guide and take-home activities, will be held on Saturday, May 31, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the James Weldon Johnson Community Library (1059 18th Ave. S). More information can be found at splibraries.org.
To ensure children remain nourished during the summer break, the City’s Parks and Recreation Department, in partnership with Healthy St. Pete and Summer BreakSpot, will provide Free Food for Kids. From June 2 through August 8, children 18 and under can receive free, nutritious meals at numerous locations citywide, including recreation centers, libraries, and parks. No registration or application is required. Meals will not be served on June 19 (at select sites) or July 4. A comprehensive list of meal locations and times is available at www.stpeteparksrec.org/summerfood.
With this diverse array of programs, the City of St. Petersburg aims to provide a summer filled with safe activities, enjoyable experiences, and valuable learning opportunities for its youth.
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