Beat the Heat in Seattle: Wading pools, beaches and more

I received this press release from Seattle Parks and Recreation in my in-box and couldn’t help but share! Whether you’re visiting Seattle or live here, you’ll need a way to chill, and this list offers the perfect way to do so.

———Following is from Seattle Parks and Recreation Press Release ——-

Seattle Beaches

Parks offers safe, lifeguarded beaches at nine sites around the city (Seattle), and we strongly recommend swimming only where lifeguards are present. Beaches are open daily, weather permitting, from noon to 7 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Amenities range from swim rafts and low and high diving boards to nearby wading pools, play areas, ballfields, and more.

These Seattle beaches are open through September 6:

• Matthews, 9300 51st Ave. NE
• Madison, 1900 43rd Ave. E
• Mt. Baker, 2301 Lake Washington Blvd. S
• Seward, 5902 Lake Washington Blvd. S
• West Green Lake, 7312 W Green Lake Dr.

These beaches are open through August 29:

• East Green Lake, 7201 E Green Lake Dr. N
• Magnuson, park entrance at NE 65^th and Sand Point Way NE
• Madrona, 853 Lake Washington Blvd.
• Pritchard Beach, 8400 55^th Ave. S

Seattle Outdoor Pools

Parks operates two unique outdoor pools for summer fun. Each offers swimming lessons, family swimming, water exercise programs, and special events. And you can rent the whole pool for your own special event!

Lowery C. “Pop” Mounger Pool, at 2535 32nd Ave. W, 206-684-4708, is open daily through September 12. Mounger Pool is really two pools in one place. The “big pool” has a 50-foot corkscrew slide and the warmer, shallower “little pool” is great for relaxing and for teaching little ones. Call the pool to reserve it for your own birthday party or other special event!

Colman Pool, at 8603 Fauntleroy Way SW, 206-684-7494, opens at noon each day through

September 6, and is also open the weekend of September 11 and 12. The pool enjoys a spectacular view of Puget Sound from its prime location on the beach in West Seattle’s Lincoln Park. It features heated salt water and the Giant Tube Slide! Please note Colman Pool will be closed for the Seattle Open Swim Meets July 8-10 and July 16-18.

Seattle Wading Pools and Water Spray Features

Your little ones will love the cool, shallow water and you can cool your own grown-up toes too! We will operate 25 wading pool sites this summer, and there are five parks with spray features to enjoy. Please note that the pools take about an hour to fill and drain each day, as required by law.

Three-Day Wading Pools:

Bitter Lake, 13035 Linden Ave. N, noon to 7 p.m. Wed, Thu, Fri through Aug. 20.

Cal Anderson Park, 1635 11^th Ave., noon to 6:45 p.m., Fri, Sat, Sun through Aug. 22.

East Queen Anne, 160 Howe St., noon to 7 p.m. Sun, Mon, Tue through Aug. 22.

E.C. Hughes, 2805 SW Holden St., noon to 7 p.m. Wed, Thu, Fri through Aug. 20.

Hiawatha, 2700 California Ave. SW, noon to 6:45 p.m. Mon, Tue, Wed through Aug. 18.

Soundview, 1590 NW 90^th St., noon to 7 p.m. Sat, Sun, Mon through Aug. 22.

South Park, 8319 8^th Ave. S, noon to 7 p.m. Sun, Mon, Tue through Aug. 18.

Wallingford, 4219Wallingford Ave. N, noon to 7 p.m. Wed, Thu, Fri through Aug. 20.

Daily Wading Pools:

Green Lake, N 73^rd and E Green Lake Dr. N, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Sept. 6.

Lincoln Park, 8600 Fauntleroy Ave. SW, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Sept. 6.

Magnuson, eastern end of NE 65^th St., noon to 6:30 p.m. daily through Aug. 29.

Van Asselt, 2820 S Myrtle St., 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Sept. 6.

Volunteer Park, 1400 E Galer St., 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Sept. 6.

Water Spray Features:

Ballard Commons, 5701 22^nd Ave. NW, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Oct. 15.

John C. Little, 6961 37^th Ave. S, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Sept. 6.

Lower Judkins, 2150 S Norman St., 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Sept. 6.

Miller, 330 19^th Ave. E, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Oct. 15.

Pratt, 1800 S Main St., 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Sept. 6.

For a more complete listing of fun summer activities in Seattle parks, please visit www.seattle.gov/parks and click on “2010 Summer Guide” on the home page.