Families lined up to try out the new Lake Highlands North Aquatic Center on opening day Saturday, and employees worked out the kinks quickly, issuing season passes and serving ice cream and drinks in the concession stand. Here are my eight takeaways from opening day:
1) There’s not enough seating, but you can bring your own chair to guarantee a spot. There are lounge chairs in the sun and in the shade and tables with seats and umbrellas. There’s also a grassy area where you may bring a blanket for picnics.
2) Bringing your own food is okay. A small concession stand serves pizza, nachos, hot dogs, corn dogs, ice cream, chips and drinks, reasonably priced from $1-4. Outside food is allowed, though, including coolers, picnics and fast food. No glass or alcohol is permitted. Lockers are also available.
3) Teens and tweens can be independent. Kids aged 10 and older may visit unaccompanied, but kids under 10 must be supervised “by a responsible person age 16 or older.”
4) Don’t bring Fido. Pets are prohibited except service animals, and those may not go in the water.
5) Grab your toddler. The official parking lot is tiny, so the closest parking is across Church Road in the Lake Highlands High School lot. If your little one is a runner, park in the recreation center lot and walk the longer (but safer) path through the park.
6) The pool is closed Thursdays.
7) Kids must prove they are decent swimmers before they can jump off the diving board or play on the climbing wall, located in the pool’s deep end.
8) Updates regarding weather, closures and other details will be given via the Dallas Aquatics Facebook page here.
Happy summer!