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FAR NORTH DALLAS JULY 2009
Cool Off
In our neighborhood, summertime is synonymous with lazy days at pools where everyone knows your name
By Marlena Chavira-Medford
The lifeguards on duty grew up down the street. The families swimming nearby shop at the same grocery stores, and they serve on the same PTAs — and if they don’t, they’ve wasted no time forging friendships poolside.
Such is the case at the Spring Creek and Greenwood Hills pools in our neighborhood. After more than four decades, both of these summertime hangouts have kept with that nostalgia of a slower, simpler yesteryear.
“This is a classic, old-style family pool,” says Heather Wheat, Greenwood Hills pool communications director. “It’s the kind of pool where a dad will get off work, change into his trunks and come meet his wife and kids for a swim.”
Unlike public pools, neighborhood volunteers run both of these operations. Anyone who wants to use the pool has to pay for a membership, which helps keep the facility up and running. Most family memberships range $300 to $400, but the fringe benefits are worth the financial investment, Wheat says.
“If a family vacation isn’t in the budget this year, this is a fun, safe and affordable alternative that comes out to a few dollars a day.”
Bob Schellhorn, president of the Spring Creek pool, says there also is an added social benefit.
“Friday nights are always big movie and grill nights. All the kids will get popcorn and sit out on the lawn watching a movie while parents relax with some wine by the pool. Public pools typically don’t let you bring food and drinks, but we actually encourage neighbors to pack a picnic and use our grills.”
And if you have a backyard pool of your own, Schellhorn says, there is still reason to consider a membership.
“We actually offer discounted memberships to people who own their own pools as an incentive to get them to come enjoy the social aspect here. Aside from swimming, this is really just a great place to get to know your neighbors.
“We all know neighbors on our street, or at our schools, or at our churches — but this is a way to meet some new neighbors who might be plugged into other social networks around here. It is very common for people to become friends just because they met at the pool.”
Both of these pools have amenities such as outdoor gas grills, locker rooms with showers, a concessions stand, outdoor movie projectors and sound systems, diving boards and water slides. The Greenwood Hills pool also has a sheltered baby pool and sand volleyball courts. The Spring Creek Pool has newly refinished tennis courts, which are open year-round with usage included in membership fees.
Anyone interested in joining can buy a trial pass before committing to a membership.
“If any neighbors out there are interested in checking out the pool, we’d love to have them come visit and see what we’re about. Once they experience the great neighborhood feel here, I have no doubt they’ll want to spend their summer here.”
GREENWOOD HILLS COMMUNITY CLUB
Waterview & Melrose
972.231.4420
ourpool.org
Established 1961
Memberships range $215 to $410
$5 per guest; kids 2 and younger get in free
SPRING CREEK SWIM AND TENNIS CLUB
Belt Line & Coit
972.404.1247
springcreekonline.net
Established 1964
Memberships range $250 to $350
$3 per guest
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