Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

With the hottest days of summer still to come, Suffolk offers a cool way to beat the heat.

Cypress Park Pool is the only public outdoor pool in downtown Suffolk, located at 2001 Arizona Ave. Phase 3 has allowed the pool to open back up to the public, providing open swim and swimming lessons.

“We reopened July 1 for open swim,” said Mark Furlo, director of Suffolk Parks and Recreation. “On July 6, we started swimming lessons again.”

Cypress Park Pool offers open swim Tuesday through Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. with free admission. The pool has an area of 3,690 square feet with depths ranging from 3 feet, 6 inches to 5 feet.

“We are very excited about renovations we will do to the pool once the season ends after Labor Day,” said Furlo. “We will be making the pool larger and adding in a zero-depth entry.”

Swim lessons are offered for all ages Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to noon. Lessons are $30 per two-week session with American Red Cross instructors and lifeguards.

“We offer swim lessons at such a reasonable price for all of our citizens,” said Amber Miller, marketing specialist for Suffolk Parks and Recreation. “Our outstanding instructors are very hands-on with the children while still allowing them to be independent and understand the water.”

The pool is strictly following the guidelines set out by the state of Virginia. Guests are screened before entering the pool area. A sign is posted out front to remind guests to keep distance and wear masks when not in the pool. The capacity is cut off at 50% to help maintain distancing. Routine cleanings are also done to check chlorine and bromine levels and reduce spreading.

According to the commonwealth’s Forward Virginia Guidelines, no evidence has found that the virus transfers in pools or water. With appropriate maintenance and procedures, the virus can become inactive in the water.

For more information about Cypress Park Pool and swim lessons, call 923-2384, or the Suffolk Parks and Recreation Administrative office at 514-7254. You can also visit the Suffolk Parks and Recreation website at suffolkva.us/535/Swimming-Pool.