Labor Day used to mark the unofficial end of summer with kids getting back to school and water fun ending with the closure of public pools. But for the past couple of years, summer overstayed its welcome way past Sept. 4, and 2023 is no exception. But even with triple-digit temperatures coming our way this weekend, The Colony and Plano residents can still have fun outdoors thanks to the cities extending the season for pools and splash pads until the end of September.
North Texas is under a heat advisory until Wednesday, Sept. 6 and the weekend will bring a new batch of triple-digit temperature days beginning on Friday. In 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported increases in all their heat wave metrics going back to the ‘60s, including longer durations, intensities and frequencies of extreme heat over that period. Everything points to longer, hotter and more humid summers as part of a new normal for Texas’ weather.
To accommodate for the new season patterns, North Texas cities are looking for ways to provide relief to residents all through summer. The city of The Colony announced on Aug. 28, 2023, the Kids Colony Splash Park, located at 5151 N. Colony Boulevard, will adjust its seasonal closing and opening dates. Starting this year, the closing date will be extended to Sept. 30, and from now on, the park will open yearly on Memorial Day weekend.
Moving a little southwest, the Plano Aquatic Center at 2301 Westside Drive will extend its pad hours to keep kids and families cool during the next couple of weeks. The new hours for the indoor pool and outdoor splash pad will go from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. from Monday through Friday, adding evening hours on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 7:15 to 9:30 p.m. and on Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.
According to CBS News, more North Texas cities are looking to extend their aquatic facilities operating hours, but are struggling with staffing to do so since so many lifeguards and employees are of school age and need to get back to class.
