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Alamo Heights Pool – Cool Texas Pools
Alamo Heights Pool – Cool Texas Pools
The Alamo Heights Swimming Pool, also known as the Heights Pool, is a characteristic public swimming pool for outdoor swimmers nestled in the municipality of Alamo Heights. It is a point of pride for residents in the area and includes numerous recreational facilities for non-swimmers.
The History of Alamo Heights
The pool is a feature of the Alamo Heights incorporated city. The area of Alamo Heights has its own city government despite its geographic location and connection to the infrastructure of the city of San Antonio.
In 1922, leaders in the community called on Alamo Heights citizens to vote on whether or not the area should have its own city government. On June 4, an overwhelming vote of 289 to 8 put the city on the map.
After annexing Bluebonnet Hills in 1928 and Sylvan Hills in 1944, Alamo Heights attained the borders it still has today. It is largely a residential municipality with little commercial or industrial development.
To protect the personality and style of the city, ordinances were put in place to restrict zoning and building height. Short, low-density construction allowed the natural beauty of Alamo Heights to continue to draw residents.
Alamo Heights Pool is Built
Construction of the Alamo Heights pool finished in 1947. It began as a popular recreational spot for families, but popularity waned as San Antonio grew around the city. Larger parks and pools with quick access overshadowed the small town charm of the local pool.
City officials called for the closing of the pool in the summer of 1989. Visitor numbers plummeted once it became clear that the grounds were in disrepair. However, the charm of the pool and its strength as a symbol of the city’s character attracted the attention of investors.
In 1990, Heights Pool Ltd. gained maintenance and operation rights to the pool. They renovated the swimming area, reworked the recreational equipment, and beautified the surrounding land. It is now a cherished part of the Alamo Heights city and one of its biggest attractions.
Alamo Heights Pool Features
Besides its draw as a family oasis in the heat of the Texas sun, the pool sports unique recreational facilities as well as food and drink options.
Pool Add-Ons
Visitors to the pool can enjoy entertainment and lounge equipment around the pool, including:
- A diving pool
- 10 foot slide into the pool
- Special diving pool
- Kids pool with shade
- Lifeguard supervision
- Picnic tables and lounge chairs
Food and Drink
Hungry or thirsty guests have access to:
- Snack bar
- Grill menu
- Private party reservations
Recreational Equipment and Facilities
- Basketball area
- Ping pong tables
- Pool Shop
The pool also offers private or group swimming lessons and hosts the Pool Sharks swim team. For those who just want to relax and enjoy the warm Texas weather, there is also Free WiFi available. Admission to the pool is by season pass only.
Barton Springs Pool – Cool Texas Pools
Barton Springs Pool – Cool Texas Pools
Barton Springs Pool at Austin’s Zilker Park is a large, man-made pool popular among Austin citizens year round, especially during the summer months. The water in the pool is fed by the city’s famous Barton Springs, keeping it cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
What is Barton Springs?
Barton Springs is the system of 4 natural springs underneath Zilker Park. The springs were formed by flow from Edwards Aquifer, a natural limestone aquifer that collects rainfall.
All of the water that comes from Barton Springs begins as rain water. It is naturally filtered and incredibly pure. Like most natural springs in Texas, it maintains a consistent temperature between 68 degrees Fahrenheit and 71 degrees Fahrenheit year round.
Where Did Barton Springs Pool Come From?
Before the pool was turned into a tourist attraction, the Tonkawa Native Americans settled the area. The tribe of about 5,000 used the springs for intensive healing rituals.
The Tonkawa were able to interact with Spanish settlers who built a mission near the springs before they were forced to migrate to Mexico in several battles against neighboring Native American tribes. In 1824, they allied with the city of Austin in a battle against the Comanche tribe.
After the battles, the Republic of Texas claimed its independence 1836. William “Uncle Billy” Barton settled the area in 1837 and named the springs he found there after his daughters. The main spring was named Parthenia and became the source of Barton Springs Pool’s water. William Barton named the 2 other springs Eliza and Zenobia.
Tourism at Barton Springs Pool Begins
William Barton recognized the springs’ value as a swimming hole for tourists and began promotion for visitors. Andrew Jackson Zilker continued the tradition of marketing the swimming hole after he acquired the land. He sold the land to the city of Austin in 1918.
After the city had taken over the land, city leaders began projects to increase the swimming area by setting up dams in the springs and creating walking paths for visitors.
A bathhouse was also constructed around the year 1940 to resemble the bathhouse at Deep Eddy Pool. After the city projects were finished, Barton Springs Pool has remained largely untouched except for regular maintenance and beautification.
Barton Springs Pool Today
The pool is now 3 acres in area and stays open for year-round swimming. The pool is frequented by actors, legislators, Austin residents, and tourists who have numbered up to 800,000 in a single year.
It is the exclusive home of the Barton Springs Salamander, an endangered species which makes its home in the springs. Those who visit Barton Springs Pool can learn about the ecology of the pool and the surrounding area at Splash! near the pool’s bathhouse.
Pool Operations
The pool’s floodgates are closed during visiting hours so that Barton Springs can fill the Barton Springs Pool to its maximum height. Tunneling underneath sidewalks helps control the maximum depth of the pool.
Entrance to the pool is free for the months of November through March, but a minimal fee is required from the second half of March through October. Even during months when a fee is charged, admission is free after 9:00 PM. The pool stays open from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM from Friday to Wednesday.
The pool is regularly maintained and is closed once a year for a few weeks for deep cleaning. Steps, ramps, walls, and walking surfaces must be cleaned of algae and the water has to be tested for pH balance and contamination.
See the Austin Official Website for more information or call the City of Austin at 512-867-3080.
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