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Summer weather in Port Aransas can get hot and some days you need a way to stay cool. The Community Pool and Lilypad splash zone in Port Aransas are a great place to cool off when you need a break from the beach. Grab your sunscreen and towel, let’s dive in!
Many visitors to Port Aransas don’t know about the Community Park & Pool, much less where to find it. Most beach-lovers recognize Roberts Point Park when they cross on the ferry, but don’t know that there’s another huge park in town with some great amenities. The Community Park is located just off Cut Off Rd and Ross Ave. It’s a small sign, so don’t miss it!
The entryway into the park takes you past basketball courts, ball fields, a playground, disc golf, walking trails, pickle ball courts, an inline skate rink, the awesome skate park, and the dog park. Who knew? Now you know! There’s a large parking lot and entry into the pool area is through the main Poolhouse, which faces the parking lot.
Let’s go for a swim
Once you enter the Poolhouse, you’ll check in at the window and pay your admission (very reasonable at $1-2/person). Then your family can enter the pool area through the women’s or men’s locker rooms. The Poolhouse locker rooms have plenty of lockers, showers, private changing areas and restrooms. Pool towels are NOT provided, so be sure to bring your own (these Turkish towels are some of my favorites).
Step out onto the pool deck and take in all the fun activities before you decide where to claim your poolside home-base. There are a variety of sun chairs, benches and tables available around the pool, as well as some large shade coverings. My kids always want to hang out between the water slides and the Lilypad splash zone, so we grab chairs along the fence line when available.
Every spot has a great view of the pool for keeping an eye on little ones who may not be strong swimmers yet. Several lifeguards are always on duty around the pool.
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Speaking of which, the pool has a beach-type entry (no sand) with a gentle sloped entry area that is ADA-compliant. There’s a mushroom waterfall and a fun tower of water buckets spilling over in the shallow water for the kids to enjoy. Don’t forget to bring swim goggles!
The kids can also slide down a mini slide in the shallow end, before attempting the two AWESOME larger water slides across the pool in the deep end (these are so fun!). The lifeguards always supervise the two large waterslides and take breaks from time to time. So watch for the lifeguards to signal that the slides are open and have the kids look for the orange cone to form a line. There are also lane ropes in place some days for adults to enjoy some lap swimming.
Bonus tip: The pool is heated during the winter months!
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Check out the Lilypad
Recently built at the Port Aransas Community Park pool area is the Lilypad splash zone. Few visitors to Port Aransas even know it’s here, so it’s our “not-so-secret” hidden gem. It is available to all pool guests and the kids love going back and forth from the pool to the Lilypad all afternoon!
The kids can walk in and out of the fenced Lilypad area as they like, and parents can sit along the curved wall to watch them have fun. Or hello, JOIN in the fun!
The kids just need to locate the start button on the yellow pole to watch the waterworks in action. The sprayers are timed and turn off periodically, so simply tap the yellow pole to start them again. There are tall arched sprayers, lower spray towers, and even ground-level sprays and bubblers. It’s great for even the youngest of water-lovers, and the perfect way to cool off on a hot day!
Hot tip: Don’t forget to pack your sunscreen and bring your own towels to the pool and Lilypad splash zone. Towels are not provided. If you have little ones not potty-trained yet, be sure to bring swim diapers or purchase them at the Poolhouse.
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Another hot tip: Bring a change of clothes. There’s no need to ride home in a wet swimsuit in your car or beach cart. The poolside locker rooms are available for showering and changing, so you and the kids can ride home comfortably dry.
What to bring to the pool
- Pool towels (my family loves these quick-drying Turkish towels)
- Sunscreen sticks for face, and water-resistant sunscreen lotion for body (I buy sunscreen in 3-packs for the summer, and stash them in my pool bag, the car and backyard)
- Swim goggles (I almost always bring two pair)
- Large insulated water bottle (Thermoflask is my favorite brand)
- UV-rated sunglasses to reduce glare (I love my Goodr sunglasses, they don’t slide down my nose!)
- Wide-brim sun hat (the cuter the better, like this one)
- Large pool tote bag (and this one has colorful rainbow stripes and is AHHmazing!)
What to know before you go
Spending the afternoon at the Port Aransas Community Pool & Lilypad is an inexpensive way to entertain the whole family, when you need a break from the beach (what?! I know, it happens). Pool admission prices are: Adults $2.00, children $1.00 (note: admission prices are current as of June 2021 and subject to change).
My 8 year old daughter forgot to toss her favorite swim goggles in my pool bag, so I asked the lifeguards if they sold goggles. They don’t, but generously offered a pair for her to borrow for the afternoon. That was so nice, and saved the day!
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The Pavilion patio area is located beside the Poolhouse and offers a family-friendly shady area with several picnic tables for enjoying meals you bring with you (like sandwiches, pizza, etc). Coolers are not allowed in the pool area and poolside food is discouraged to avoid spills and avoid attracting ants.
Where to find it
The pool and splash zone are located at the Port Aransas Community Park at the intersection of 700 Clark Parkway and Ross Avenue (just off of Cut Off Road). There are tons of sports amenities in the park, including an awesome playground, pickle ball courts, spacious dog park and even a cool 10,000 sq. ft. skate park. You’ve got to check out this park.
The Port Aransas Community Park is open dusk to dawn, but pool hours may vary. Typically, the pool is open for lap swimming from 7am-6pm most days (except Monday), and open swim for kids from 1pm-6pm most days (except Monday). Call ahead to be sure.
Learn more about the Port Aransas Community Park here. Have fun!
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