Where To Cool Off In Cranston, Warwick and Providence This Summer

CRANSTON, RI — Temperatures are heating up in Rhode Island, and with summer vacation in full swing Rhode Islanders need somewhere to kick back and cool off. Patch has the answer with a roundup of water parks and public pools in Cranston, Warwick and Providence.

The City of Cranston only has one public pool, one of the largest outdoor pools in America. Budlong Swimming Pool, located at 198 Aquaduct Rd., is open from July to mid-August. The pool is open seven days a week from noon to 6 p.m. A day pass costs $3 per person for Cranston residents and $10 for non-residents. Children aged three and under are free, and season passes can be purchased for $50 for a family or $25 for an individual. Pool rules are available on the city's website.

Starting July 8, non-residents will not be allowed into the pool unless they are accompanied by an adult Cranston resident, Mayor Allan Fung said Monday. The change comes in the wake of a fight between several "city kids" at the pool last week that ended in several arrests, Fung said, as well as the need to reduce overcrowding.

"We want families to enjoy themselves and I want a SAFE environment for our Cranston families," Fung said. "Thanks in advance for adhering to this, and let's have a great summer at the pool!"

Providence, meanwhile, boasts five outdoor public pools and 12 water play parks that are free and open to the public. All pools and water parks officially opened to the season. The water parks are open Monday through Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. until August 31. Here's where you can find them.

Pools

• McGrane Pool at West End Recreation Center, 404 Dexter Street
• Almagno Pool at Neutaconkanut Recreation Center, 675 Plainfield St.
• Selim Rogers Recreation Center, 60 Camden Ave.
• Zuccolo Recreation Center 18 Gesler St.
• Davey Lopes Recreation Center, 227 Dudley St.

Water Parks

• Al Carrington Water Park – at Richardson Park, 64 Richardson St., at the corner of Richardson Street and Prairie Avenue)
• Billy Taylor Water Park, 124 Camp St., off Cypress Street)
• Sackett Street Water Park, 110 Sackett St., across from Sackett Street Recreation Center
• Harriet & Sayles Water Park, 375 Sayles St., at the corner of Harriet & Sayles Streets
• General Street Water Park, 11 West Drive, off Admiral Street
• George West Water Park, 1266 Chalkstone Ave., at the corner of Chalkstone and Mt. Pleasant Avenue
• Fargnoli Water Park, 945 Smith Street, near Academy Avenue
• Fox Point Water Park at Cabral Park, 505 Wickenden Street, next to Vartan Gregorian School
• Neutaconkanut Recreation Center Water Park, 675 Plainfield St., near Killingly Street
• Wallace Street Park, 1 Wallace St.
• Pastore Park, Corner of Knight Street and Tell Street
• Joslin Recreation Center, 17 Hyatt St.
• Chad Brown Water Park, Chad Brown Street

Warwick also only have one public pool, McDermott Pool at 975 Sandy Lane. The year-round, indoor facility is open from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weekdays and from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends. Monthly or yearly passes are available for purchase and run from $20 per month for a Warwick adult to $400 for an annual pass for a non-resident family.

If you're looking to swim outdoors, consider Warwick City Park, which features Buttonwoods Beach along with three baseball fields, picnic areas and several miles of paved bicycle paths. The park is free to visit and has public restroom facilities.

Know of any other places to get wet in the area? Let us know in the comments and we'll add them to the list.