Residents looking to cool off or spend time outdoors at some of Amarillo's most popular recreational spots may need to make alternate plans, as the City of Amarillo Parks and Recreation Department has announced the temporary closure of one of the city’s three outdoor pools and a heavily visited playground.
In a Facebook post Friday morning, the department reported that Southwest Pool, located at 4800 Bell Street, is closed until further notice due to an unforeseen mechanical issue.
“We are working as fast as possible to resolve this issue and we will communicate its reopening on this page, which we hope will be soon,” the post read. “We appreciate your patience during this time.”
Southwest Pool, a key summer destination for families and children in Amarillo, opened for the season on May 24 but has already faced several intermittent closures due to weather. Friday’s closure, however, stems from a mechanical issue that city officials did not specify but say requires repair before the pool can safely reopen.
In the meantime, Southeast Pool and Thompson Pool will remain open and are expected to welcome swimmers, weather permitting. According to Parks and Recreation, outdoor pools require a minimum ambient temperature of 75°F to open to the public.
Popular Playground Also Set for Temporary Closure
In addition to the pool closure, the AMBUCS inclusive playground at John Ward Memorial Park will also be temporarily closed starting Monday, June 2. The city plans to resurface the turf, a project expected to take two to three weeks.
“This playground is one of the most popular in Amarillo and sees significant use,” the city said in a public statement. “The resurfacing is necessary to prevent potential safety hazards and maintain a high-quality experience for all users.”
This will be the third resurfacing since the playground opened nine years ago. The city explained that the timing of the project was selected due to favorable weather conditions required for proper curing of the new turf surface.
The Amarillo City Council approved the resurfacing project in March, as part of ongoing maintenance efforts for the city’s public recreation spaces.
What's Open and What to Expect
While Southwest Pool and the AMBUCS playground are temporarily unavailable, the city is encouraging residents to take advantage of Southeast and Thompson Pools, provided weather conditions allow. Visitors are also advised to check the Parks and Recreation Facebook page or website for real-time updates on pool openings and project completions.
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