Philadelphia Parks Launch Kids Swimwear Drive

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department has launched a kids swimwear drive to help kids enjoy Philadelphia's public pools.

According to officials, enterprising Philadelphia Parks & Recreation staff members are behind the swimsuit drive, having observed kids turned away from city pools for not having the proper swimming attire.

The campaign called ‘Suit Up for Summer’ is the city’s effort to make sure all Philadelphia children have access to the city’s 72 free public pools, and the free swim lessons offered each summer at each location.

This year city pools will open on a rolling basis from June 17 through June 28. The full schedule of pool openings will be released in early June.

"Our free public pools are a treasured resource for residents across Philadelphia," said Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commissioner Kathryn Ott Lovell. "Every child in this city deserves to stay cool and learn to swim in a safe, free, city pool. Each swimwear donation we receive will give one more child the chance to learn lifelong swimming skills, and to cool down and stay active this summer."

For swimmers’ health and safety, residents are only allowed in the pool, or on the pool deck, if they are wearing proper swimwear.

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation will collect new swimwear in all youth and adult sizes; swim diapers and flip flops in all sizes; towels; and goggles. Drop-off sites are listed below, and on the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation website. Items can be dropped off at any of the locations Monday through Friday, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.:

• Center City - One Parkway Building, 1515 Arch Street, 1st Floor
• West Philadelphia - Carousel House, 4300 Avenue Of The Republic
• Northeast Philadelphia - James Ramp Playground, 3300 Solly Avenue
• Northwest Philadelphia - Kendrick Rec Center, 5822 Ridge Avenue
• South Philadelphia - Guerin Rec Center, 2201 S. 16th Street
• North Philadelphia - Athletic Rec Center, 1400 N. 26th Street

“No kid should be turned away from a pool on a hot summer day," Ott Lovell said. "The swimwear drive is a city-wide effort to let all kids know that they matter, they are welcomed, and that their city cares about them."

St. Christopher’s Foundation for Children is kicking off the swimsuit drive with a $5,000 donation for children’s swimsuits, with a commitment to lead a fundraising effort to purchase children’s swimwear.

"All Philadelphia kids deserve the chance to learn how to swim and stay cool in the city’s public pools," said Jan Shaeffer, President of the St. Christopher’s Foundation. "Suit Up for Summer is an easy way for each of us to help remove a barrier that could keep kids from staying active, healthy, and safe this summer. We are proud to support Philadelphia Parks & Recreation in its goal of making swimming in city pools accessible to all."

Monetary donations to the swimsuit drive can be made on the St. Christopher’s Foundation website.